Trigger warning: mentions of eating disorders, anxiety, body image issues, and eating disorder recovery.

MikePOV-

''Now? Okay, just calm down. I'll be at the hospital. Who's with you? Ms. Corcoran? Alright, okay, good. I'll be there as soon as I can. Bye. Be safe.''

I hang up on Tina, untangling myself from Jessica's arm.

I was so exhausted after today's practice that I accepted her offer to come back to her place for a while before heading home. We'd planned on watching a movie, but I must have fallen asleep on her bed.

''Hmmm? Where you going,'' she yawns, a sleepy smile stretched across her pretty face.

''Tina's gone into labor. I've got to get to the hospital.''

''Those things usually take, like, hours. My mom was in labor with me for twenty-four hours. So why does it matter if you stay a while longer?''

''Um… because she's having our baby? And she's my girlfriend?,'' I reach for my shirt, pulling it on over my undershirt as Jessica grabs my wrist.

''Mike, when was the last time you had sex? months, right? You seem stressed. Let me help you out,'' she purrs, hands moving to my waistband.

''Jess, I-''

She cuts me off, warm, soft lips pressing against mine in a heated kiss.

And it feels good. Physically, anyway. Her body pressed against mine, lips moving against mine, hands tangled in my hair. So, yeah, it feels good. Part of me wants to keep this going.

Another part knows that this is horribly, horribly wrong.

''Jessica,'' I take her gently by her wrist, pulling her off of me, ''We're not doing this. We keep coming back to this. It's not going to happen.''

''What do you see in her,'' she hisses, ''I know you want me, Mike.''

''Grow up. We're not in high school anymore. This time, I'm really asking for a new partner.''

''Oh, really,'' she crosses her arms over her chest, ''It won't matter. Once Tina finds out about this.''

''Stay the hell away from her. This is over,'' I slide my jacket on, ''I guess I'll see you in class.''

Without another word, I leave, heading to the hospital.

Because, finally, the baby is on its way.

''I've called our parents. Well, your parents and my mom. They're catching the first flight out here,'' I stroke some hair off of Tina's forehead, pressing a kiss to sweaty skin.

''It hurts so much,'' she groans out, gasping in pain.

Tina is only six centimeters dilated, but they've been here for four hours. The others are in the waiting room,taking turns shifting in and out of the room to visit her.

She lets out another pained groan as she sits on the side of her bed, arms wrapped around my neck as I rub her back.

''Anything I can do,'' I question, trying my best to comfort her.

''I want the epidural,'' Tina whimpers, ''Please, I need it.''

''Okay,'' I detach myself from her arms, ''I'm gonna go find a nurse or a doctor. Stay here.''

Even though she's in a massive amount of pain, she still manages to give me the most sarcastic answer, ''You know, I was planning on going on a 10 mile jog. I guess that I'll postpone that.''

''Alright, smartass,'' I reply fondly, ''I'll be right back.''

I roam the maternity ward, searching for a nurse, finally finding the one who was in the room with Tina when I arrived.

''Hey!,'' I jog after him, ''Hey, my girlfriend needs the epidural. She's in room 205.''

''Yeah, I've got three women ahead of her,'' he explains.

''Okay, just, please, get to her as soon as you can,'' Inod.

And it's strange. Last year this time, fear and worry would have made me lash out in anger. It's crazy how much things have changed in a year.

I'm almost to Tina's room when I hear the familiar voice say, ''Michael.''

Turning, I see the one person that has avoided me for months. THat hasn't bothered to pick up a phone and talked to me.

''Dad. What are you doing here?''

''I was here on business. Your mother called me and asked me to come here until she arrives'' he steps forward, serious, nodding towards the room, ''Your girlfriend okay?''

''Tina's fine. I'm sorry, dad, but you still haven't told me why you are here.''

''Michael,'' he clears his throat, ''We need to talk.''

Something tells me this is one conversation that I don't want to have.

MercedesPOV-

''Here. I brought you a coffee.''

I open my eyes to see Sam standing in front of me, holding out the styrofoam cup.

''Extra cream and sugar, just the way you like it,'' he offers.

''Thank you,'' I grasp it, taking a sip, ''I need this.''

''I figured. You're barely keeping your eyes open,'' Sam speaks, plopping down next to me.

''It's been a long day.''

''Yeah, I feel the same way.''

Oh, really? Did Ms. Pretty Blonde not entertain you? Or did she wear you out?

''I'm guessing you had a pretty nice day with Quinn,'' I take another sip of coffee, watching him carefully as he shrugs, pushing his hair back.

''We met up at the karaoke bar, actually. She promised she'd come visit while she was in town, and she wanted to meet you.''

''Why,'' I raise an eyebrow, surprised.

''Because you're two of the most important people in my life,'' he shrugs again, and his whole nonchalant attitude is really pissing me off.

''Sam, what are we doing?''

His eyebrows furrow in confusion, he clears his throat, ''We're sitting in a hospital, waiting for Tina to have the baby and drinking coffee.''

''No,'' I nearly groan, ''What am I to you?''

''Courage,'' as Blaine would say. I need that right now.

''I'm really… I know how I feel about you. I thought you felt the same, but now you're kinda seeing Quinn. I want you to be happy, Sam. I really, really do. I also want to be happy, though, and I can't do that if I'm constantly distracted by all of the things that have been weighing on my mind lately. I really love you, Sam. It takes a lot for me to say that. So if you don't feel the same, or think that you never really did and ever really could feel the same, then I think that it's best that we just end this relationship before someone gets hurt.''

Well, before someone gets hurt even more.

''If there's something going on with Quinn, then I understand. We are young, and I don't know too many guys our age who want to be tied down. I'm looking for something serious, I think. And I wanna be on the same page as you,'' I further explain, watching him shake his head.

''Quinn and I are just friends, 'Cedes.''

I hate to admit that there's a rush of relief flooding me at the moment. It is short lived, though, because soon he is speaking again, voice quiet.

''Listen, Mercedes,'' his tone is serious, eyes trained on the floor, ''I do love you. I'm kinda shitty when it comes to saying and exploring that, but I do. I just have a lot on my mind.''

''What is it? Sam, you've got to talk to me if we're going to work out,'' I place a hand on his knee, ''And I'll try to be there for you.''

I really hope that that's a promise I can keep.

SamPOV-

''I'm not… see the thing is, relationships require a level of commitment. Like we both have to be trying. I'm ready and willing and want to do that, but I always kinda feel like I'm falling apart. Because I love you, but I don't like myself. So I try to take some time to work for myself, to keep this relationship from being destroyed, but it doesn't look like it is working.''

Mercedes blinks once, twice, again,taking that in.

''I really don't like my body. Like, I thought I was getting better. But sometimes it is so hard to just,'' I shake my head, trailing off.

Sometimes, you can't just find the words. Sometimes, there are no words. And you just hope that the person you're trying to make understands you just gets it.

''Recovery can take months, even years, Sam. The doctor told you that.''

''It's not about recovery, Mercedes. I mean, it is, but I don't like myself, let alone love myself. So how can you? How do I give so much to this relationship if I can't do it for myself?''

''Sam,'' Mercedes places a hand on my shoulder, ''How long have you been feeling this way?''

''A while now,'' I admit, ''That is why I have been spending so much time with Quinn. Her life fell apart, and she's getting it together. I thought that she could help out. She told me to tell you, but I don't' want you to think I'm… I don't want you to think less of me.''

Brown eyes soften, a warm hand takes mine, ''You are one of the strongest people I have ever met. I know what it is like to deal with anxiety and body image issues. Don't you dare tell me you're not strong, or that anyone thinks any less of you. Because if they do, then you don't need them in your life, Sam.''

She's right. Of course she is. Now, I feel so stupid for not telling her.

''I want to be with you, Mercedes. I also need to take time to work on myself.''

''Everyone does. We're works in progress, Sam,'' she smiles sweetly, ''We can work on ourselves together. Oh, wow, that was kinda lame. Wasn't it?''

''A bit like a line from a romantic comedy, if you ask me,'' I laugh, a real, genuine laugh, ''So we're going to be alright?''

''I think so. We're not… we can't have a relationship without complications, Sam. Not really. It's not who we are, and it's fine. There's always going to be something that we have to work on. It's who we are. We're two people who won't be satisfied until we're proud of ourselves and what we've accomplished. So, yes, we're going to be okay. We just have to keep working on it.''

Here's the thing about Mercedes: once she's made up her mind, she's made up her mind. She's the most secure person I have ever met, besides Mike, Santana and Rachel. She's insecure, as we all are. She's not letting it stop her, and I guess i can't either.

''Tomorrow,'' I wrap an arm around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead, ''We can figure out what to do. I don't want to push myself to the breaking point again.''

''I won't let you. We won't let you. You have friends that care about you, Sam. You are not alone.''

I've been told that time and time again, especially when I first started seeing my therapist. I tried to convince myself of that, tried to make myself believe that they were here out of a want to help me and not pity. That I'd really be okay, and wouldn't push myself back into that dark and empty hole that I was heading down. Because as hard as I tried to pretend that it was okay, even somehow managing to fool myself into believing it was, I knew that it was a lie. Now, I've got something holding me down to keep me from spiraling out of control, but lifting me up to keep me from drowning. It's enough for me.

This time, I'm going to be okay.

I have to be.

KurtPOV-

''So. Do you wanna tell me what's going on with you?''

Blaine and I are in the gift shop as soona s it opens in the morning, hoping to get a present for Tina and Mike's baby.

Tina has been in labor for 12 hours now, and isn't even close to being fully dilated. Mike and Tina's mother have been in the room all night, with Artie, Quinn, Sam, Blaine, Mercedes and I taking turns moving in and out. None of us have been home to get any sleep, not that we would be able to anyways.

''Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired.''

Blaine moves around me, picking up a granola bar.

''Yeah? Me too. Of you lying to me,'' I take his wrist gently, ''Look at me, Blaine.''

Hazel eyes meet mine, and Blaine's doing his best to keep his facial expression neutral.

''No, I am not.''

''You're shit at lying, Blaine. Tell me what's wrong? This relationship is all about trust,'' I speak up.

''Wow. Is it really,'' he laughs bitterly, ''Because, from what I understand, you have been anything but.''

''What the hell is that supposed to mean,'' I bite out.

''You know who I ran into? Your former friend-with-benefits, Sebastian. We got to talking, now I'm thinking: why was kurt so ready to screw a guy he can't stand, but he won't even think about sleeping with me, the man he claims to love.''

Blaine's been made at me, sure. Usually, we have stupid and petty arguments. We've had our fair share of fights, too. This is how they usually start- with icy tones and backhanded comments and looks that could kill.

''Why the hell do you even listen to him? What, can't think for yourself,'' I taunt, knowing how to get under his skin.

''I'm not stupid, Kurt,'' he hisses, ''I just tried to deny what was in front of me all along.''

''Which would be what, exactly?''

''The fact that you can't commit,'' he snaps, ''At least not to me. Because I feel like I am only getting half of what you gave Adam and even Sebastian.''

I hate to admit it, but he is. I'm trying, I honestly am. I don't believe Blaine is like Adam. I know he isn't, because he'd never intentionally try to hurt me or do something that could hurt me.

''So you think that I don't love you,'' I deadpan.

''I think you're afraid to fully show it. I do,'' Blaine runs his hand over his face, ''I get it, but I need… more, Kurt. I know Adam was your first love, but you're mine. I want that… that passionate rush of feelings that i know you got with him. If you can't give that to me then… then are we both just wasting our time? Because I don't… I don't want to...''

''I know: you don't' want to fall for someone that can't fall for you.''

I know because I have been there before.

So, it's come down to this: Blaine and I fighting off to the side of a hotel gift shop.

''Relationships are messy, Blaine,'' I swallow thickly,'' People get hurt. I don't want to hurt you-''

''Screw that, Kurt. I can take care of myself-''

''And I know that. But it's also about supporting each other. Sometimes, I want so much more than heavy petting and kissing, but I think about you. I think about what Sebastian did to you. You needed to know that, dammit, you're worth more than sex. I want to sleep with you, Blaine. Yesh, I want to have sex with my boyfriend,'' I flush when a woman looks my way before quickly speeding up and making her way to the register, ''I just embarrassed myself in front of a stranger. If that's not love, then I don't know what is.''

Blaine snorts out a laughter, ''That was kinda funny.''

''I'm glad you're amused,'' I roll my eyes, ''Seriously, though. I don't want to make the same mistakes that I made with Adam while I'm with you. Because look how badly that ended. I can't… I really do not even want to think about that happening with you.''

Relationships are messy, and require some vulnerability. So, here I am: pouring my heart out to the bowtie wearing man in front of me while we stand in front of ''get well soon'' cards and stuffed animals.

''I overreacted, didn't I?''

''A bit. Yes. You acted human, Blaine. Sebastian? He's an asshole who wants you to feel miserable. Don't let him do that,'' I insist, because, dammit, Sebastian has hurt Blaine enough.

''I know. I'm trying to be adult about it, but… I'm still working on that,'' Blaine sighs.

''So am I. We'll get there. Hey, you talked to me first. We're getting better,'' I grin, taking his hand in mine ,''So, what I want you to take from this is: Sebastian sucks, I'll gladly sleep with you when you decide you're ready for it, and Sebastian sucks. Also, Sebastian is a little asshole.''

''I think you've made your point,'' Blaine chuckles, ''And… thank you. I really need this.''

I'm sure that argument wasn't the passion that Blaine was looking for, but it's something. It proves to me that this relationship is worth the fights that we have, and worth fighting for. It's not the same, it is different from what i felt with Adam.

But it's a good different. Like a...a ''maybe this is the actual, real thing'' different.

Like a ''maybe this is going to last'' different.

A ''This could turn out to be a really nice and beautiful thing'' different.

And I've never been one to turn my back on anything different.

Last chance to vote for baby names! Daniel, Anya, Liam, Mindy, Derek, or Lydia

Also I know it's been awhile since I've updated, but I know where this story is going and it should be easier for me to get that written down so I could update quicker.

Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk