After the movie Finn and Puck went upstairs to play some Xbox and Burt and Carole remained in the recliners.
"So... Today was… eventful." Burt announced.
"Burt, that's an understatement."
"I know. How are you doing?"
"I am okay right now. You?" Carole asked in return.
"I am so angry. I just want to go to the jail and beat the crap out of his father. I can't believe him… How can you do this to a kid? His own kid?"
"I know, I know. But the important thing is that he is safe now." Carole calmed him.
"Yeah, I know. How you think he will react when it all hits him?"
"Considering his reaction to us seeing his bruises, not well, but, we can't predict that. We have to handle it when it comes."
"One step at the time?" Burt smiled to Carole who nodded and stretched her hand out to hold her husband's hand.
"Yes. But, there are some things I think we, meaning you and me, have to talk about now, or soon."
"Like Blaine's future living situation?"
"Yes. He has nobody, Burt. Can we live with ourselves if we send him to foster care?"
"No. I don't. I don't want him to go to a foster home. I want him to be safe."
"And where will he be safe?"
"I know, Carole, I know. But how are we going to afford two Dalton tuitions? As well as three teenage boys eating and every other expense teenagers come with?"
"I know. There is a solution though…"
"I am not taking Kurt from Dalton. I want him to be safe."
"I know Burt and I want him to be safe too. Look, we don't have to decide this now, okay? But, I think we have to try and talk to him. Really talk to him about how he is doing. Kurt can't be the only one who asks him and answers his questions. That is a really big responsibility for just him by himself."
"Yes, you're right. I don't know how to ask him though." Burt admitted.
"I don't think you should ask him. I think it has to be me, he might feel afraid of you after what happened with his dad. We know now how his father treated him. It might be easier for him to start talking to me. And I think you have to show him how good a father can be.
"Tomorrow when we go to the hospital, I'll see if I can be home next week with Blaine. Kurt needs to go to school, but Blaine needs to stay at home. And even if he might insist that he can be here alone, I don't want him to. But, for now, let's get to bed. I'll step by Kurt's room and give Blaine some painkillers and antibiotics."
"I'll join you. I have to see that they're okay." Burt agreed.
They made their way upstairs to Kurt's room, knocking lightly but when they didn't get an answer, they opened the door slowly and peeked inside. The sight made them both smile; both teenagers were fast asleep. They look completely peaceful as they lay under Kurt's thick duvet.
"It's a shame to wake him." Burt whispered to his wife.
"I know, but he needs the medicine." She sat down at the bed next to Blaine and stroked his curls gently. The fever had returned. She shook him lightly and called his name. He stirred and looked at Carole.
"Hi honey. Sorry to wake you, but you need to take your medicine." Carole smiled to him and slowly moved Kurt's arms from Blaine's waist. Kurt rolled over to his back and mumbled something but didn't wake up. Blaine slowly sat up and took the medicine and the water glass for Carole.
"Carole?" Blaine asked.
"Yes, it's me. How are you?"
"I'm tired. But I need to get to the bath room. I can use the crutches; I don't need to be carried."
"You can try Blaine, but you have a lot of broken ribs." Carole told him quietly, not wanting to upset the young boy.
"I do?"
"Yes. On Monday we'll be able to borrow a wheelchair from the hospital, but until then, the easiest way for you to get around is to be carried. I get that it feels embarrassing, but it is only you who thinks that. We're glad to help you, you know."
"I am not used to this kindness Carole."
"That's okay sweetie, you'll get use to it! So, do you want to try the crutches or do you want Burt to help you?" She questioned.
"Ummmh… I'll try the crutches."
"Okay, I'll be right behind you kid." Burt gave him the crutches. Blaine took them and tried to put his weight on them. The pain shoot from the ribs and his eye vision went white from the pain. He swayed as his knees began to buckle. Burt caught him before he fell to the floor. When he finally could see again, Burt was holding his shoulder and he was sitting on the bed.
"So, I think I might need some help after all." Blaine confessed.
When he got back to the bed, Burt said good night and left Carole with Blaine. She gave him his medicine and looked at him with concerned eyes.
"How are you honey?"
"I really don't know. I'm tired, just so tired. I have all these questions, but as soon as I start focus on something to ask Kurt, I fall asleep and forget about it."
"Do you have any questions right now? You can ask me."
"I don't know. I… I just…" Blaine looked down at the bed, trying to explain his feelings.
"You know, honey, we all care about you. You can ask us anything. I promise. You can come and talk to me or Burt about anything."
Blaine looked into Carole's eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"From what I have understood today, you might not have previously been surrounded with grown-ups you can trust. But I want you to know that you can trust me. And you can trust Burt."
"Why do you care about me Carole? You don't know me."
"I know you enough Blaine. I know that you are one of the strongest men I have ever met. I know that you love Kurt. I know that Kurt loves you. That's enough for me. The more I get to know you, the more I care.
"Look, Blaine. This isn't going to be easy, but you need to know that you have our support and our love. Nothing you will do or say will make us stop caring. You can, and probably will, scream at us and curse at us, but we will still love you."
Blaine's eyes became clouded with tears and he started crying. Carole just held out her arms; if he wanted to be hugged, he had to be the one initiating it this time. She didn't have to wait for long before Blaine flung himself in her arms and sobbed. She held him, stroked his hair and just showered him with all the love she could. After a while, he calmed down and let go of her.
"Sorry Carole." He apologized.
"Never say that you are sorry for crying Blaine. It is always okay to crying in this house."
He lay down on the bed and Kurt immediately shifted and snuggled closer. Carole tucked them in and sat on the side of the bed stroking Blaine's hair until he fell back to sleep. She kissed them both on the forehead before going to Finn and doing the same thing there.
The Sunday was more normal; Carole and Kurt woke up first and made breakfast. Finn was pleased to be woken by his mom when breakfast was ready. He and Puck went down to eat pancakes, muffins and toast. Burt watched them eat and thought about the cost of two Dalton fees and three male teenagers eating in the house. Kurt didn't eat the amount that Finn bolted down every meal though. Burt didn't really have an estimate about Blaine's eating pattern. He kept counting in his head but didn't find a solution other than the one Carole had brought up yesterday. But he didn't want Kurt to sacrifice his place at Dalton. He'd become a new version of himself since he had started there – a more certain, confident Kurt. He had become someone who enjoyed life compared to the withdrawn boy he'd become as a result of the bullying at McKinley.
Burt sighed and looked at Carole, who was helping Kurt loading breakfast on to a tray to bring to Blaine. Burt felt himself become warm inside while looking at his wife and his son, working together side by side. They were so natural together. They shared so many fabulous characteristic; they were both caring and they both would do anything to help the people they loved.
Burt was so proud of the man his son was growing into. He had two great female role models; both his wives were incredible women, and Kurt had been influenced by them both. Elizabeth had formed him and accepted him for everything he was and wasn't. She had made him into a secure boy who didn't have the need to change who his was. Sure, the last years of intense bullying in school had taken some of his joy of life away, but it was returning. Burt was convinced that both Dalton and Carole had influenced Kurt to returning to life with joy. He watched Kurt pouring coffee into two cups and headed for the stairs. He had to have a serious talk with Kurt about what he thought about Blaine's living situation. He just needed to find a way so that he didn't feel compelled to quit Dalton. That was the last thing Burt wanted.
