Crossroads

Chapter 11

A/N: Finally picked a name but I'm still giving you guys one more chapter to suggest other names, but for those that already gave, I have taken them into consideration and I'd like to thank you all for it. And for those that wanted to know what happened in Kurt's meeting, that will be dealt with in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Still don't own it.

It had been a sunny day when Quinn was finally discharged from the hospital. She'd been feeling great as she had recovered, Dr. Murray giving a good prognosis. It had taken an hour for her to leave her baby at the hospital seeing that she still wasn't fit to live outside the incubator, but Quinn felt a little relieved when the doctor had told her that though her baby had to stay in the hospital for a couple more months, Quinn could still visit as much as she wants to. And to this, Kurt volunteered to drive her anytime. So with the help of Mr. Hummel, they headed home in relative peace, considering the media all but lapped at their predicament. But once the case was closed, their perpetrators caught, not because Kurt had pressed charges or anything, but because they were caught trying to purchase a case of beer using a credit card they had stole from Kurt's wallet, the media frenzy had died down as well. But Quinn remembers it quite clearly. She remembered how Mr. Hummel practically became their private bouncer, the usual 'no comment' line getting quite the makeover with colorful words that at least made some of the media to back up a foot away. But as Quinn looked out the window of the car, she noticed how things quickly changes in just 2 short weeks. The trees had taken a slight tinge of a rustic orange with Lima showing early signs of seasonal change. This had been a first, Fall isn't supposed to be in another month. But here it is, early, much like Quinn's baby. Another change she noticed was of the person seating next to her in the backseat of the car. She turned to Kurt, finding him asleep, his head resting on the window. She noticed a change in his demeanor, that Monday afternoon, him coming from his meeting. She thought it had went well until she saw him scowl at an envelope he had brought with him. Quinn had asked, but hadn't pressed on when he shook his head. She'd find him in constant worry when he thinks she's not looking, but puts on a smile when she turns to her. But that doesn't make him insincere, he still cracks out that genuine smile especially during their gossip sessions with their graveyard shift nurse Millie, and the rare nights when they start that Getting-To-Know-You conversation again. But as she looked at him against the bright sunlight, he seemed...older.

She had let it slide for a week, but Quinn vowed to herself that if it continues, she is going to badger him til he squeaks. She had felt herself nod at the thought. He really shouldn't tire himself out.

When they had arrived, Quinn repeatedly refused Mr. Hummel's offer to carry her in, he did overhear Dr. Murray tell her to not overexert herself, and Mr. Hummel pretty much took it to heart. Quinn felt her cheeks burn, giving a laughing Kurt the sternest glare she could ever muster as Mr. Hummel brought her into the house. This convinced Quinn that this uber caring attitude had been passed on from father to son.

And when Quinn finally settled in her bed, she had let her mind wander, closing her eyes at thought of the emotional roller coaster that was the past 2 weeks.

She had felt nothing but fear for her baby for the first couple of days, and when she had seen her baby relatively healthy considering her gestational age, Quinn had been on cloud 9 ever since. She had went to see the baby every single day, and she felt the overwhelming joy knowing that her baby was going to be alright despite the machines surrounding her. At times, Kurt would join her at the nursery. The hospital staff still thinks he's the father, but Quinn didn't mind at all, and it has somewhat become an in joke between the two. So when a nurse had come by Quinn's room one afternoon, Kurt was caught surprised when she had asked if they had already chosen a name for their baby.

When Quinn finally awoke from her nap, she had found Kurt, nose-deep into a Baby Book, earbuds stuck in his ear. She watched him for a while, flicking through each page, brows knitted, occasionally cringing, which Quinn deduced to be from the complimentary audio book he must be listening to. She raised a brow at this, cathcing the blush that had appeared on his cheeks when he saw her awake. Yet he stood to her bedside, handing over the book to her.

"Found anything?"

"I was just skimming through."

A blatant lie. Quinn supressed the urge to roll her eyes, but couldn't stop the smile creeping up into her face.

Kurt shook his head, pulling the earphones out his ear. "This lady kept suggesting names but somehow I didn't really think Aeyisha would be a fitting name." he gestured to the audiobook in annoyance as it sat on the chair.

Quinn shook her head in amusement, and beckoned Kurt to sit at her foot. He'd complied, making sure he didn't sit on her leg. He'd seen the look on her face, and huffed. "Oh you think that's funny?" He tried to look pissed, but the smile on his face belied the intention. "I think you should thank me for not naming your baby some crazy name when the nurse had asked me a while ago."

"Oh so that's what this is for." Quinn hadn't really thought of a name so far, but she thanked him nonetheless for getting her a book, and she began scanning through it as Kurt relaxed in his place.

"How about Abby?"

Kurt looked up to her, he didn't really think she'd ask his help fr this kind of thing. Then again, she looked like she needed it, and if there's one thing he's good at, it's at giving advice or criticizing it. "That name's so last year, Quinn."

Quinn grinned at his quip as she turned another page. "Bernadine?"

"Sounds too much like a nun..."

"Alright." Quinn rolled her eyes, turning yet another page. "What about Christie?"

"Are we reay going through this alphabetically?" Kurt shook his head, managing a laugh. Quinn merely huffed as she closed the book, pausing momentarily before opening to a random page, saying the first name she saw. "Gary." A beat passed before both started doubling up in laughter. Who in the world would name their baby girl Gary?

Quinn quickly turned to another random page. "Terri."

"No."Kurt began shaking his head. "No way."

"But it's a cute name." Quinn didn't really know why Kurt was so adamant against the name. Her confusion didn't last long. "D'you really want to name your baby after Mr. Schue's ex-wife?"

Oh yeah. Quinn now turned to another page. She definitely won't name her baby after such a psycho. She remembered the whole fake pregnancy thing she did. It would have made Mr. Schue quit Glee and teaching all together if it were not for Ms. Pillsbury. Her mind returned to the task at hand when she found a name and pretty much giggled into her hand, making Kurt raise a brow.

"What is it?"

"Mildred." When Quinn had said it, Kurt couldn't bite back a smile. "Mildred is a nice sounding name, and I think that would make Aunt Mildred happy."

Yes, that would definitely make Aunt Mildred happy...ecstatic even, but he knows Quinn's baby is no Mildred. But the fact that Quinn was actually thinking it as a decent potential name, it was heartwarming to say the least. But Kurt shook his head, and Quinn merely smiled and turned another page.

They had spent the whole afternoon bouncing names back and forth each other, much to the chagrin of Mr. Hummel who had come in, smuggling yet another pizza, pepperoni this time, into the room for dinner. He had stayed a while even suggesting various names to which the two dismissed quickly. Mr. Hummel decided to leave the two to tend the garage, shaking his head as he left. I mean, who in the world doesn't want to name their kid Aeyisha?

"Ann?"

"Too simple." Kurt looked up to her in the middle of taking another slice of pizza from the box.

"Mary?"

"Too pious."

"Roxy" Both Quinn and Kurt cringed. "That's sounds too much like a stripper name so...no."

"Apple?" Quinn turned a page, while taking a bite from her slice. Kurt stopped mid-bite. "What!?"

"Apple. It's a cute name." Quinn pouted, but her eyes were definitely smiling.

"Uh-uh. Don't you ever name your baby Apple. She is going to get funny looks when she grows up." Kurt picked a pepperoni off her slice, which happened to be the last one. "And really, only celebrities think it's okay to name their babies ridiculously. If I know, all they want is the media to catch on it. It's basically press for them." Though Quinn still thinks that Apple is such a cute name, she found herself agreeing to Kurt. She huffed, turning another page, while calmly slapping Kurt's hand away as he reached for another pepperoni from her slice. She found a name that would totally irk him.

"How about Candy?" Kurt was still adamant in getting the meat, but Quinn was having none of it, nonchalantly waving the pizza around, avoiding Kurt's greedy hand. The fact the she was calmly doing it, just made Kurt try harder.

Kurt scoffed. "Seriously, Quinn. I'd much rather if you'd name the baby Apple." He then gave out a 'Ha!' when he finally succeeded in getting a pepperoni off her slice, to which she just picked every single pepperoni left and promptly eating it, much to his dismay.

They continued going through the book, this time with Kurt flicking through the pages. They managed to find names like Grace, Dianna, Melissa, Jenny, and Lucille getting a positive reaction. While the occasional name would just scare the wits off them like: Brunhilda and Hermana. But not all names were treated this way. You could say that they spent at least some time imagining if the name would fit, even 'Rachel' got it's fair share, almost becoming a potential name, had it not been the name of one scary nurse they had, who was pretty persistent that enemas were a good thing. This got them to playfully trying to see if any of their former female Glee members' names would fit. 'Brittany' became the closest pick, but that wasn't until Quinn, in all mock seriousness, suggested 'Kurt'. This made him laugh out loud that he almost fell off the bed, had he not grabbed onto Quinn's ankle, the book flying off his hands. This made them laugh even more. It was at this time that the nurse had come back, papers in hand, greeting them.

"Have you thought of a name yet?" Both just grinned sheepishly before turning to her, shaking their heads. "That's okay. You don't have to hurry, but it would be best if you'd have chosen one before you could be discharged so we can register her as early as possible." With that, the nurse left after bidding them goodnight.

"Why don't we just call her Aeyisha?" Quinn, admittedly felt drained. Who knew that deciding a name could be so difficult?

"I think we could continue this name searching tomorrow." He sent a glare to Quinn's way, because really, Aeyisha? "And besides, you need to rest." he said, before grabbing the book that had opened face flat unto the floor. When he got it in his hands, he flipped the book face up, pausing.

Quinn had began to settle herself into the mattress when Kurt had got off the bed. She smoothed the sheets, looking up to the much unminded TV showing the night news. As she watched, a singular name caught her eye. She peered at the name in front of her. It sounded pleasant enough and it gave her a warm feeling. And when Kurt handed the book back to her, pointing to another name with a grin on his face, Quinn couldn't stop the tingling sensation that coursed through her when she put the two names together. She looked up at Kurt, a smile on her face, knowing that she finally found the perfect name.

A knock on the door, brought Quinn out of her reverie. She smiled as she saw Kurt peeking in.

"Dinner in 15."

"Okay." Quinn looked up at him from the bed, rolling her eyes and gestured for him to come in when he hadn't moved by the door. When Kurt got the permission to come in, he slowly went inside the room, sitting beside Quinn on the bed once she had sat up. Quinn scooted, curious as to the thing he had pulled from his pocket. Kurt straightened it on his lap before handing it over to Quinn.

"It's a photograph..." Quinn couldn't believe it. "But how? They don't allow any cameras in the nursery."

"I sneaked a shot from my cellphone." Kurt shrugged. He had tried to get a camera in, but they wouldn't allow it, except outside, and the baby was farther inside than most babies, proving it difficult. But during one night, when he had went into the nursery alone, he quickly took a shot before jamming his phone back into his pocket. "It's not the best quality, it's grainy at best, but I just thought that you might like it."

"I do." Quinn looked up to him, biting back a sob. She held the picture in her hand, her sight getting blurry. She leaned into him as he gave her a quick one-armed hug before getting off the bed and straightening himself.

"I better get back there. Can't afford to have dad burn dinner." he began to turn back, stopping at the door when Quinn called him.

"Kurt?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you." Kurt gave her one final smile before quickly leaving the room when he heard a clang, followed by Mr. Hummel swore loudly from the kitchen.

Quinn couldn't help but give out a small laugh as she heard Kurt shoo his father out the kitchen. Mr. Hummel may be great in doing garage work, but he is definitely not a cook. Quinn took one more glance at the picture, stealing a quick kiss, before placing it on her bedside. She stood up slowly, the wrapping still in place, and made her way to the door, when she stopped, made a complete 180, grabbed the picture from the table, and proceeded to go down to the kitchen.

A/N: I apologize for any grammar mistakes and whatnot...I'm knifa distracted by the Golden Globes right now :D

Anywhoo, reviews are still awesome!!!