My apologies for taking so long to get this chapter up! The stages of grief are passed and now we're moving to the stages of acceptance. Thanks all of you for standing by this story, I appreciate the reviews and kind words. -Insert Disclaimer-


"I have a bone to pick with you."

Burt flinched at the harsh words coming from his wives lips but slowly turned around from his football game with a look of guilt. Carole took the remote from his hands before harshly pressing the off button, causing the screen to go black. Burt didn't even try to protest, the look on Carole's face enough for him to back down like a small child getting scolded. He waited in silence for her to speak.

"I want to know what in God's name possessed you to say what you did to Kurt."

Burt looks up at her in shock. He thought that this moment wouldn't come, he thought that he's shoved it all behind. But he knows that's a lie. He knows because Kurt refuses to let anyone but Noah, Finn, and Carole in the room. And Burt only knows that Finn's allowed in because he spent three hours telling Kurt what an awful brother he was to him and making promises that he would keep not matter what.

Burt wishes that he could get off that easily, but he knows he can't. He knows that he's made a mistake that can't be taken back no matter how many times that he tries. He remained silent as she stared down at him, he didn't have an answer.

"Now you listen to me Burt Hummel, and you listen good! Right now there is a scared little boy in that hospital and he needs his father. And you know what, he doesn't have one right now!" she spoke coldly, surprising Burt. "What you did to him was un forgivable. To say a thing like that, something so cruel and horrible that he was pushed so far off the edge that he's in the hospital."

"I didn't mean it."

"You wouldn't have said it if you didn't mean it, Burt."

The older man looked up at her sadly. "He's gay, Carole. My son is a queer."

He did not expect the smack across his face, but suddenly his was holding his left cheek in pain, staring up at his wife in shock.

"Kurt may be gay, but he is your son. When he came into this world, he was When he came into this world, he was yours." She spoke. "Kurt is unique. Kurt is special. I'm sure that Elizabeth, rest her sweet soul, would be devastated by your behavior."

Burt stared at Carole, his mouth gaping open, even though he knew her words were true. His son was special. He was amazing. And Kurt was his blood, he had raised that boy with his late wife and she had told him to accept him for who he was. Burt wasn't the high school jock anymore with a bad case of homophobia.

"Now I want you to know one thing. If you don't make this better, I will back up my bags, take the kids, and we will leave."

"You can't leave!"

"Do not think you can tell me what I can do, Burt Hummel! Now you make this better or consider your family gone!"

Burt watched as Carole grabbed her purse and made her way out the door. Burt held his head in his hands.

He had to make this right, and accept the fact that he messed up.


Kurt stared after his father, wiping away the tears that seemed to keep falling from his eyes. Noah walked in a few moments later, setting down a vase of flowers near the window before sitting down next to him. "Are you alright?"

Kurt blinked up at his friend, snuggling into his arms and sighing softly. "Yeah, I think so…"

"What about your old man?"

"He's…he's getting there." He whispered softly. "I just…I never thought that my dad of all people…"

Puck stared down at the boy, holding him as close as he could. "It's going to be alright, Kurt…he loves you, so much. He just wants to understand you."

Kurt smiles softly, nodding his head at him.

"You wanna hear something?"

"Sure…."

"Finn told me that Carole really chewed his ass out. Threatened to leave if he didn't get his head out of his ass."

Kurt stared for a moment before laughing out loud, burying his face in Noah's chest. "I adore that woman."

"I adore you too, Sweetie pie."

Kurt looked up, smiling as Carole walked into the room, holding his dinner on a tray before placing it on the rolling table. "I have your supper."

Kurt stared for a moment before chewing at his lip. "I'll eat in a moment; I have to go to the bathroom."

The two nodded as Kurt slowly got out of his bed, using the IV stand as support as he walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He immediately fell to his knees in front of the toilet, his finger finding his way down his throat immediately. He froze for a moment, snapping his fingers away from his mouth and pressing them to his side, staring at the porcelain toilet in front of him.

Was this really what he wanted? Is this what his life was going to be?

Kurt bit at his lip. He was about to start all over again. But he was just sick, right?

No.

Kurt stood up, staring at himself in the mirror and taking in a deep breath.

He was sick. But not with a stomach virus.

Kurt met his dulled blue eyes in the mirror, controlling his breathing.

He had cut himself.

He was admitted to the hospital for a heart attack.

He had anorexia.

Kurt closed his eyes, hearing the truth of the words sting in his ears like a thousand sirens. He had a problem, but standing in the bathroom wasn't going to help him get over it. He was unhealthy. He was sick and needed to get better.

Turning towards the full length mirror made him feel weak and ashamed.

Where he had once saw fat, there was pale skin and bones.

The countertenor pulled open the door and met the gazes of Noah and Carole, both waiting for him.

"Are you alright, Kurt?"

The male shook his head, staring at the floor before looking back up.

"No, I'm not alright….but I'm getting there."

Puck smiled as the boy returned back to the bed. Kurt still had a long way to recovery. He had some demons to get rid of, and Puck promised to be there the entire way. But for now, he'd deal with sharing meals with Kurt. And he was proud of him already, seeing that the younger boy accepted that he had a problem and was seeking out help.

Puck had never been more in love.