Kurt's POV
I just got some news about Tom from Carole, which apparently he doesn't want Lexie to know over text. But he wanted Blaine, Lauren, and I to know, so it won't be too much of a shock for us when she is told and we can comfort her when she finds out without being in shock as well. Finn was told too because he won't be at the hospital until later tonight. It's going to be a long afternoon. Oh well, at least Blaine won't be with his dad for the evening… And Lauren, according to what Blaine's been telling me.
'What time are the girls getting here?' Blaine woke me out of my ideas while blowing his coffee.
'Should be here soon.' I glanced at my watch... 3.40…
'Puck's dropping them off.'
'Well that's not a good sign…' He laughed.
'He's a good guy… When he wants to be!' I grinned.
'How do you think Lexie will take the news of Tom?' Blaine's smile faltered. He looked down at his coffee to try hide his face.
'She'll be really upset. But it won't be too bad, I mean, he's not dead.' At least not yet. I saw that thought cross Blaine's mind too.
After a few more minutes, I saw Lauren and Lexie walk in quickly. 'Here they are. Hey Lexie, Lauren!'
'Hi Kurt!' Lauren hugged me before turning to hug Blaine. I watched as she hugged her brother, it was a very meaningful loving hug… Just what they needed after the night they had yesterday.
'Hey Kurty…' Lexie looked up at me in the same way she does to Finn… she hardly ever looks at me like that… she then smiled shyly at Blaine.
'Come on Lex, let's go and get drinks. Do you want anything?' Lauren looked between me and Blaine, with a look that was knowing, sad, and inquisitive all at the same time. We shook our heads. She reached out to grab Lexie's hand and her sleeve slid up her arm a little, there was a big purple bruise on her wrist. I saw her notice me looking and she quickly pulled her sleeve back up again and walked to the till.
'I feel so bad.' Blaine practically whispered after they were gone.
'Why? What's wrong Blaine?' I took his hand, already knowing what he was going to say.
'Did you see the bruise on Lauren's wrist? That was my fault…' His voice broke on the last syllable.
'No it wasn't Blaine.'
'She was sticking up for me!' He nearly screamed at me; this thing is eating him from the inside out.
'Blaine, whether she was sticking up for you or not, I think your dad would have done that to her at some point in the future. It was only a matter of time; he's unpredictable.'
'I know. I just feel so helpless; the only good thing about him was that he didn't hurt Lauren… But now….' Blaine trailed off as the girls came back.
'Kurty, can I sit on your lap please?' Lexie asked, still shy, but able to give me puppy dog eyes. I know Finn doesn't want her to act like a child all the time, but it's darn cute! I always give in.
'Of course you can Sweetie! How was your day?'
'I got slushied, and then Quinn helped me and redone my hair. I like Quinn. Then Brittany and Santana asked if I can be on Brittany's web show on Saturday.'
As she said this, I watched Lauren and Blaine have their conversation. They were looking at each other as if they were both angels; well, they are. You can see the love for each other in their eyes, I don't know what they would do if something happened to the other…
'Well being slushied is horrible, but you made a friend, so it was a good day.' She suddenly grimaced. 'Are you ok Lexie?'
'I just had a bad feeling; I think something bad's gonna happen. Is my dad ok? Is there any news?'
'I don't know Lexie-boo… You'll have to ask him when we get to the hospital; my dad will be here soon to pick us up.' I really want to tell her… She'll be devastated.
'Not Carole?'
'No, she's going to stay with your dad. But he will be here soon, don't worry.' I put my chin on her shoulder, which seemed to comfort her a little.
Lauren's POV
Sitting in Burt's truck I saw Blaine glance at my arm for what felt like the millionth time and bit his lip.
'Stop, Blainers. It's not your fault, it's mine. It doesn't even hurt anymore.' I lied, hoping that he couldn't tell. He didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway.
'Guys, Finn's going to get take-out for us all on the way to the hospital; text him what you want.' Burt spoke to all of us.
'You know he'll choose pizza.' Blaine laughed, and we all agreed.
We got into Tom's room just before Lexie and Burt. Me and Blaine stood behind Kurt. I wanted to blend into the wall, knowing what was going to be said. But I couldn't so I clutched at Blaine's hand as Lexie also came into the room. She immediately stopped as soon as she saw Tom and Carole's expression.
'Have y'all been crying? What's wrong? Daddy?'
'Alex… We have to tell you something…' Tom trailed off. I wanted to cry myself, but I had to be strong for Lexie. Or at least pretend to be. I wrapped my arms around Blaine's waist and rested my head on his chest while watching what was going on. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
'Daddy?' Lexie's eyes widened as Tom shut his.
'Lexie, sweetie, come here.' Carole encouraged her. This reminds me of the story that Lexie told me about when her mom died. Lexie had a purely terrifying look as she walked to Carole and was basically pulled on to her lap.
'W-what's wrong Auntie Carole?' Her voice sounds pained.
'Lexie, your dad… He's going to… the cancer is… terminal…' Carole began to cry…. This must be hard on her too; it's her brother…
'He's going to die Lexie.'
'WHA-'Lexie screamed half the word before breaking down in tears. Tom started to cry a little when he heard all this, but didn't say a word before Lexie ran out of the room.
We all stared at each other, daring each other to speak. I made the decision to follow her. I tried to get out of Blaine's arms, but he held on tightly to me.
'Blaine, she needs someone. I have to go.' I whispered hoarsely. He looked into my eyes before slowly letting go. I ran out of the room, and found Lexie down the hall on the floor. She was in a ball, just sobbing her eyes out. I moved to sit next to her, and rubbed her back to try and comfort her.
Kurt's POV
After Lexie ran out of the room crying – which was just plain heartbreaking – and Lauren had gone to comfort her, Tom looked at my dad and Carole. 'I wanted to wait until I could talk to both of you, and now you're here Burt, I wanted to ask you both something.'
'What is it Tom?' Dad went to stand behind Carole, placing his hands gently on her shoulders.
'The doctor says I only have a few weeks to go. I want you to be Lexie's guardians; even adopting her if the law says so. But either way, I want her to stay with you, whatever happens.' Carole and Dad looked at each other for less than a second before answering him.
'Of course we will Tom. You didn't even need to ask. We will be happy to.' Dad shook hands with Tom, and Carole hugged him gently.
'Thank you so much. I can't think of anything better for my baby.'
When Finn came into the room an hour later, carrying a couple of pizza boxes, he was clutching Lexie's hand, and she was rubbing her eyes with her free hand. I could tell he was kinda annoyed, but he was trying to hide it. Lauren came in as well straight after them. I text Finn as Lexie silently sat on the bed next to Tom.
'Finn, don't be too hard on Lex. She's having a tough time. Let her be a kid.'
'I know, don't worry. I'm stressed about it myself.'
'I get it, but taking it out on her won't be helpful.' He gave me a kinda 'sorry' look that was mixed with sadness.
'Come on guys, here's your food.' Dad and Carole gave us each a disposable plate with 2 slices of pizza on it.
'Thanks Dad.' I smiled at him, before glancing at Lauren who was sitting next to Blaine's chair on the floor. She was looking at the pizza with a very wary look picking of the toppings. I caught her attention, and gave her a sympathetic, yet warning, look, encouraging her to eat. She nodded and rolled her eyes at me at me before taking a couple of bites.
'Lexie, here's your pizza.' Carole tried to hand her a plate, but she shook her head, and then rested on Tom's chest as she snaked her arms around his middle.
'Baby, you should eat something.' Tom stroked her hair.
'I'm not hungry Daddy.' She whispered, sounding really sleepy.
Lauren's POV
I swear Finn always chooses the greasiest, most calorie filled foods. Luckily we hardly ever eat it; Kurt is an amazing cook. Lexie was right not to eat any of the pizza. She had fallen asleep on Tom an hour after we ate. She's had a tough day. Burt stood up. 'I think it's time to go; what do you think guys?' He looked at us.
'Yup. I'll drop you off.' Finn turned to me and Blaine.
'I'll go with you.' Kurt also stood up as Burt unlatched Lexie from Tom and picked her up.
'Awesome…' Blaine feigned a smile as we all got ready to leave.
'Don't worry Blainers. It'll be ok. Dad knew where we were, and it's not too late.' I whispered, half-smiling.
'It should be ok Lauren.' We said bye to Tom and then to Burt and Carole before we split off and walked to Finn's car.
When we got home, I slowly opened the front door with Blaine behind me, his hand in mine. 'We're home!' I called through the hallway.
'Finally; where have you been?' He appeared in front of us.
'We were at the hospital with our friend, like you agreed. We're home way before curfew Dad.' I heard my voice was wavering towards the end. Blaine squeezed my hand.
'Fine. But go to your rooms and do your homework, both of you. And I mean actually do the homework' He glared at me. When I got to my room I checked my phone, and I apparently had a missed call from Sofia. When the hell did she call me?
I got out my math book to make it look like I was working as I called Sofia back.
'Hey, you called me!'
'I know.' She sounded weirdly happy. 'Oh, Lauren… I was looking through photos of us and Rory from the past 2 years…' She started giggling euphorically. I was a little worried.
'Okaaay. Are you ok Sofia? Are you on drugs or something?'
'Only the love drug!'
'What? Sofia Pierce-Smith! You're in love? Oh my gosh who is he?'
'I'll tell you another time… Oh… but Lauren I just called you because I've remembered how much I love you! You're my best friend Lauren… My very very best-'She was cut off when the phone was snatched out my hand.
I span around to find my dad. 'Dad, what are you doing? Give my phone back.'
'Who were you talking to Lauren?' He seemed really angry…
This could go either way. 'Um… Sofia.'
'And why? I told you to do your homework.'
'Because I… needed help on my math. You know I'm not the best at that.'
'You should have asked Blaine. He's an A grade student, especially in math.' What? I couldn't believe what I'd just heard!
'YOU DIDN'T SEEM TO THINK THAT YESTERDAY!'
'Calm down Lauren. If you need help, go now.'
'NO! I'M FED UP OF YOU ALWAYS BEING ON BLAINE'S CASE. HE'S A GOOD PERSON! ONLY YEASTERDAY YOU WERE SHOUTING AT BLAINE ABOUT HIS GRADE AND NOW YOU SEEM FINE WITH THEM! I- '
Suddenly I felt a slap on my left cheek. I stood shocked for a moment then looked at my dad; he had fire in his eyes. It didn't calm me down- it just made me angrier.
'THAT'S MY FREAKING POINT. YOU'RE WILLING TO HURT YOUR SON JUST BECAUSE HE'S GAY!'
His hand fell again. Harder. I fell back into my desk chair as he walked out of the room. I got on my bed and curled up crying.
