Hey everyone :D Thank you so much for all of your reviews-they mean everything :') Keep them coming, and I'll keep the chapters coming :')
Remember to let me know if there are any scenes you want me to write! :')
Thank you! I love you xxxxxxx
Hey Blaine, how's Kurtie doing? Cooper
Almost back to his old self-he was telling me off earlier for not bringing the right set of moisturisers from home :P Bxxx
Sounds like the diva we know and love :') And everything okay on the baby front? Cooper
Sound :') Kurt had another scan, so we know for sure she's fine :') Bxxx
Send me a photo! Awh! Can't believe I'll be an uncle in two and a half months! Cooper
Well, the sooner we get Kurt out of hospital the better. It's been a week now…I hope he can go home soon! Bxxx
"I swear, Blaine, if I have to have one more blood test, there will actually be no blood left in my body," Kurt lay back on the pillows, sighing. Blaine stroked his other hand comfortingly.
"I know, sweetheart," the nurse, Monica, smiled kindly. "But you're definitely on track to be out of here soon, if everything remains improving, and we're sure you're out of the danger zone,"
"Yeah…" Kurt fingered the tubes, still stuck into his wrists. "But whatever you're doing to me, it does seem to be helping,"
"Thanks to the treatment, we hope we can keep your blood pressure normalising-though even when you're able to go home, we'll definitely be keeping a super close eye on you,"
"More blood tests?" Kurt pretended to be in agony.
"Quite possibly," Monica grinned. "Don't worry, I can't think of anyone who likes them,"
"I just want to get out of this bed!" Kurt turned back to Blaine. "God, I'm so cramped! I don't think I've ever gone this long barely moving at all-and this is coming from the guy who spent the whole summer watching all the Friends episodes back to back,"
"That was a good summer," Blaine grinned. "Though I never really saw the appeal of the show…"
"You don't see the appeal of anything, unless it's got Tom Felton," Kurt snickered, flicking him lightly.
"Valid point," Monica giggled. But she looked serious as she looked back at Kurt. "Hmm…we'll give it another day or so. Perhaps a wheelchair…?"
"Oh goodness, I'm turning into Artie,"
"Maybe…" the nurse mused thoughtfully. "We're being extra careful when it comes to you, hun. We'll have to see,"
After she'd gone, Kurt sat up a little straighter on the pillows. "Everyone's extra careful when it comes to me…"
"And rightly so," Blaine gently tapped him on the nose. "Everyone just wants you to get through this pregnancy in one piece,"
"Agreed," came Burt's voice from the corner. He sat up, stretching. "Hey, Blaine, couldn't get us a coffee, could you?"
"Tormenting with coffee when you know I can drink it," Kurt scoffed playfully.
"Go on, son, stretch your legs," Burt handed Blaine some money. Giving Kurt a last kiss on the forehead, Blaine-a little too quickly-disappeared from the room to the machine down the hall.
Kurt frowned. He'd caught the look his father had given his boyfriend. It was a give-us-a-minute-alone look.
His father wanted to talk to him. And, but his face-it was important.
"Great to hear they think you're nearly out of the danger zone," Burt said, as if they were having a normal conversation. Kurt nodded mechanically, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Dad…what's up?" You couldn't pull the wool over his eyes.
Burt sighed, not one to beat around the bush, shuffling in his seat. "Look, buddy…" He met his gaze, eyes serious. "I just wanted to say…I hope you realise that in two and a half months, you're going to be a parent,"
Kurt blinked, surprised. "Of course I know," he said, confused, wondering what his father was getting at. "It's a little hard to forget-"
"Probably the biggest commitment you'll ever make," Burt continued.
"I know…" Kurt answered carefully, studying Burt's expression. It was…odd.
"I-I know you'll probably bite my head off for saying this…" Burt sighed again, deciding to just come out with it. "But I just wanted to make sure you know-it's not too late to think about-" "What?" Kurt's mouth fell open in horror. "Dad!"
"Let me finish," Burt held up a hand. "I meant-you know. Adoption,"
Kurt's mouth hung open, eyes wide with shock. What?
"You're still so young, Kurt…" Burt's eyes suddenly looked sad. "You're not even out of high school-I think with everything going on, you've forgotten that. You've got a whole future ahead of you. The world is yours-to do whatever you want. I know-I've every faith in you that you of all people would find a way to have an amazing career and a baby, but-" "Dad!" Kurt gaped at him, eyes wounded. He was confused-and hurt. "I thought you were used to the idea of me having a baby! I thought you supported me!"
"I do!" Burt assured him quickly. "Kurt, buddy, I will support you, whatever decisions you make. And…yes, I guess I am sort of warming to the idea of being a grandpa…but you know, there is such a thing as an open adoption. You wouldn't have to never see her again-you could still have contact. Kurt, you have to think about you here. What you want. Remember-you're seventeen years old. You've everything to live for. And, look, buddy, even with as much help and support as you have-having a kid is hard,"
Kurt stared at his father, face set. His cheeks had flushed slightly. "Dad…" he began, trying to keep himself from getting too mad. "There is no way on God's earth that I would let someone else take care of my baby-after everything I'm going through to have her-"
Burt sighed. "Look-you've been amazing about this. You and Blaine-you've taken this on so seriously-but you have to think. Are you really ready-?"
"Yes,"
Kurt interrupted with his answer.
"Yes, Dad. I am ready,"
Burt blinked. "You have to think about this, Kurt. Think about everything-"
"I have," Kurt answered certainly, surely. He looked his father in the eyes, not even blinking. "And I am sure. I do not want to discuss the matter further, as it will stress me out, and I want to get out of hospital as quickly as I can. But-I have been sure since I knew for sure she existed that I was going to keep her. I know it's going to be hard-but God-I want to. This is what I want to do with my life. I know I can have a career as well-do everything I ever wanted. I will find a way. But now-I know that this is what I want. I want to have my baby, be her parent, do my best by her-like you did by me. I can't imagine a life without her now-and neither could Blaine. I know he feels exactly the same way. I know what a huge commitment this is-but it's what I want to do. It's what I'm supposed to do. And Dad-what if this is my only chance? To have a baby with the person I love? You know how hard it is to conceive-she is a miracle. Don't tell me that if you were in my position, you wouldn't jump at the chance to have a child with the person you love. And I know you're only trying to do what's best for me-but I have to think about what's best for my daughter. And that is with me, and Blaine. She belongs with me. And there is nothing on Earth that could make me consider giving her away,"
Burt blinked at him.
"Please do not raise this subject again," Kurt lay down, looking away from his father.
"Carole!"
Turning away from the bulging bag of Kurt and Blaine's clothes she was bringing up to the hospital, having just washed them, Carole looked in the direction of whoever had called her name. Coming toward her across the parking lot, holding a designer boutique shopping bag in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other, was a small woman, covered with expertly applied make up, wearing a pale pink floral dress and white high heeled sandals, with big, hazel eyes.
"Hey, Maria!" Carole smiled as Mrs Anderson approached.
The two had become friends. Although they seemed to be polar opposites, they actually got on well, bonding over being future grandmas to their sons' baby-and the fact that each of them looked upon Blaine as a their own. Although Carole had the sense not to tell Maria that. Anyhow-after all, Blaine's mother had turned out to be quite a pleasant, friendly-if occasionally patronising-woman.
"Good afternoon," Maria smiled, waving her long, manicured nails as she approached. "How is everyone doing? I wish I could come see them more often,"
"Everyone's fine," Carole assured her. "Kurt's out of the danger zone, and Blaine seems more himself nowadays too. And the baby's doing great,"
"Wonderful," Maria smiled with her perfect white teeth. However…Carole's intuition told her something…
Carole had always been highly perceptive. It was one of her many talents, Burt told her-and it was very good for spotting when Finn was lying about where he'd been. But, what it was best for-was seeing through an "I'm fine,"…
"Everything okay…?" she asked the other woman, knowing the answer.
"Oh, just fine," Maria kept the smile fixed-then changed the subject. "I do hope Kurt likes the flowers-Blaine told me they were his favourite, but they're already looking a bit droopy…" She inspected them critically, while Carole watched, unconvinced. "Oh-" Maria suddenly indicated her shopping bag. "I brought something for the baby too-I know it's still early-but I saw this and couldn't resist…what?"
"Maria," Carole said firmly. "What's wrong?"
…
Half an hour later, Carole and Maria were sat in the hospital canteen, both with their second murky paper cup of coffee. Carole watched the other woman carefully deposit sweeteners in to the liquid, as if measuring medicine. She nodded, sucking her teeth. They'd talked for a long time…and Carole thought they were at the bottom of it.
"So, to summarise…" she prompted.
Maria sighed heavily, her perfectly pencilled eyebrows rising and falling. "It's just…I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to stay there…" "Leave," Carole said immediately.
Maria blinked. "It's not that simple…"
"Why not?" Carole took a sip of coffee, grimacing a little. "Look-you're miserable there with him-and don't lie to me, I can see it,"
Maria bit her lip.
"I understand-your husband is…" Carole paused delicately, making a vague gesture. "however-I'm not judging you-but if any bloke of mine had it Finn or Kurt-either us or him would have been out of the door before you could say "Quidditch", as Blaine would say,"
Maria nodded. "I know…and I want to leave him….God, I want to leave him. I've wanted to for the last God knows how long…but…it's not that simple…" She looked down at her floral lap.
Carole leaned up on one elbow. "You're a strong, independent woman, Maria. You have to do what's best for you here,"
Maria shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "You see…I'm not sure if I am strong-or independent. I've always…well, without cutting corners, I've always relied on a man-or drink," She looked down, ashamed.
Carole was sympathetic-but concerned. Right. She reached over, and patted Mrs Anderson's small, slim hand- before taking it firmly, and looking her in the eyes. "What's best for you," she reminded her. "If you don't like your situation-only you can change it. And if this man is making you this stressed, lonely and upset-then you get rid of him, sister. And you stand on your own two designer-heeled feet, and you show him that you're much better than the likes of him. You show him, Maria. You get right out of there,"
