It was September and Elizabeth and Alex would be going up a grade, and Isabella would be starting Kindergarten. Kurt and Blaine were excited but very nervous, especially because she was so intelligent. They feared she may be a bit too forward for her kindergarten teacher.
Isabella asked a lot of questions, about absolutely everything. It kept Kurt and Blaine on their feet, answering as many things as they knew, but then they would go online to become more educated about things so that they could answer her questions appropriately. They never lied to any of their children, but the only thing that they weren't ready to discuss was sex.
Elizabeth was nearly 10, so they knew that within a year or two they would have to answer the dreaded question about where babies came from, but so far Elizabeth remained innocent of any of that.
Alex never asked any questions, he was always quite content with learning everything in school, but Kurt and Blaine had told him that whenever he didn't understand something, then he could come and talk to them.
Elizabeth and Alex had a lot of their friends around the house for their 10th and 7th birthdays, Sebastian and Hunter were in charge of the boys things, and Puck and Kurt were in charge of the girls things. Blaine and Sam were looking after the other kids, making sure they weren't touching anything they weren't supposed too.
Alex and his friends were playing outside in the yard, Kurt had made sure everyone had wet suits and boots and goggles on, because they were shooting each other with squirt guns filled with paint. The girls were using the living room as a dance party, Puck had set the television up with a Dance Revolution game, and they had a Dance mat in front of it on the floor, and the girls were having fun trying to out dance each other.
Kurt called them all in for food after about an hour, he had Blaine and Sam feed the little ones in the kitchen, as Hunter and Sebastian set up two tables and Kurt and Puck set the food down on it.
After the sugar high for everyone, the boys went to cover each other in paint again outside, and Kurt stayed inside with the girls. Elizabeth and Alex seemed to be having the time of their lives with their friends, which made Kurt proud of himself for thinking up both activities for them.
The cakes came out just before the parents were due to pick their children up, and then Kurt was making at least 30 little bags of toys and food as souvenirs for the kids to take home.
All the wet suits had been hosed off outside, and the food had been placed back into the kitchen, the dance mat had been folded back up, and the living room had been put back to normal, after everyone had gone home. Alex and Elizabeth were talking to Sam and Blaine about everything that had happened over dinner that evening, while Kurt smiled at his excited and happy children.
"Emily kept trying to push Carly over, and then she was trying to trip everyone else-"
"Tom got paint in his eye because he took the goggles off, even though Uncle Sebastian warned everyone not too-"
"Then Carly started crying when she fell over, but papa made her feel better by painting her nails a pretty colour-"
"And everyone kept trying to shoot me, especially Markus and Max, they kept chasing me around in circles-"
Blaine was looking back and forth between the two as they rambled on about their parties, and Puck was chuckling as he watched them, making Kurt giggle as he was feeding Bradley.
"Papa made me a beautiful cake, daddy." Elizabeth said throwing a smile to Kurt and he winked at her, and then Alex stood up and grinned widely.
"My cake was awesome!" He shouted and everyone laughed.
"Alright buddy, come on, sit down and finish your dinner, then everyone can have a bit of your awesome cake." Sam said as he pulled Alex back into his seat and Kurt shot him a grateful look.
A few days later it was Christmas eve, and it was exhausting. Cooper and Eleanor arrived with the girls, Cooper's and Blaine's children both jumping excitedly on their uncles, Kurt wrapped Eleanor in his arms, and Cooper gave a couple late birthday gifts to Elizabeth and Alex, before he handed Kurt the rest to put under the tree with the rest.
Burt and Carole couldn't come to New York this Christmas, but Kurt had promised that after the New year they would travel over to them for Isabella's 5th birthday, Carole squealing excitedly when Kurt told her that she could make the cake.
Cooper was talking to the guys about everything that had been going on in L.A, and Kurt was speaking to Eleanor about the kids. The twins stayed close by their Uncle Kurt for Christmas eve, Eleanor had been telling him that now that they were teenagers, they had started being more into fashion and so far their uncle seemed to be the only inspiration they had. The girls wanted to talk to him about skirts versus trousers for girls, and asked him a lot of questions about what they were wearing. Kurt was fascinated with the amount of growing up all the girls had done in the past couple of years. Soon enough it would be Elizabeth talking to him about fashion and boys.
He secretly dreaded his children growing up, he loved the innocence they brought to the house, and as they all grew into teens and preteens some if not most of that innocence would be lost, especially when it came to love and the opposite sex, or same sex, Kurt wouldn't judge any of his children's choice in partner, he would be supportive.
But the only thing was, he knew that Blaine would be the more protective parent, especially with the girls.
Kurt, Eleanor and the twins sat and talked for hours about fashion, Kurt throwing out different ideas that they could try, and he also promised them that on their next birthday he would make them both a special outfit each. They squealed excitedly as Eleanor laughed.
"I never realised before how grown up they were," Kurt said as the twins walked back into the living room to play with the other kids, "Where has the time gone?"
"I know, it's mad." Eleanor agreed, shaking her head a little as they both watched the children all playing together in the living room. "So when are you having another one?"
Kurt turned his head so fast, he nearly ricked his neck, and he stared at her with wide eyes before laughing nervously.
"I'm not planning on anymore," Kurt told her as she eyed him curiously, "why?"
"Just wondered," She said as she shrugged, "Blaine had always talked about a big family, and I just thought a couple more would be just right for you guys."
"Oh I would be all for it, if it wasn't me carrying them." Kurt said with a small laugh, "The last couple have been awful."
"Yeah, I suppose it had to happen, especially after what you went through." She said as she smiled sadly at him, and he put an arm around her, and placed a kiss on her head.
"It's in the past," Kurt said and she nodded quickly, "but yeah ever since then, pregnancy only seems to cause me problems."
"I get that." Eleanor replied, before turning serious eyes on Kurt, "But does Blaine know that you don't want anymore?"
"We haven't actually spoken about it."
"Maybe you should," She said and placed a hand over his on the counter, "It just saves arguments about it."
"I know."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Christmas was over really fast, and before long they were travelling to Ohio, the day before Isabella's 5th birthday to go and spend a week with Burt and Carole.
Blaine and Kurt were both due to go back to work the following week, so they were planning on enjoying their stay, stress free as much as possible. Carole had text Kurt that the cake was done, and she had sent along a picture, which Kurt had shown Blaine because that cake was gorgeous. It was just Kurt, Blaine and the kids travelling to Lima, Puck and Sam had to work and Hunter and Sebastian had taken a couple weeks off of work to have their own special getaway.
The kids were so good on the plane, and Bradley slept most of the way so there was no screaming, or apologising to random strangers about something being thrown across the aisle, it was all good.
They rented a car from the airport to drive themselves into Lima, the kids were sleepy, Isabella and Justin nodded off along the way, but Alex and Elizabeth remained awake until they saw their grandparents.
"Grandpa!" Elizabeth shouted out in glee as they pulled up outside the house and Burt stood outside the door waving a greeting with a huge smile on his face.
She struggled to pull off her seatbelt and flung the door open and ran up the path towards him, he scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around laughing loudly, as Kurt chuckled and helped Blaine with the luggage. Alex ran out of the car soon after and collided with Burt too, almost knocking them all down if it weren't for Carole's steady hands behind them all.
"Alexander be careful!" Blaine yelled out with amusement in his voice, and his son turned to give him a sheepish smile, before Burt scooped him up as Carole hugged Elizabeth.
"The crib's set up for Bradley if you want to take him up, Kurt." Carole said and Kurt thanked her as he and Blaine lifted Bradley and Justin from their seats, Burt coming over to take a sleepy Isabella out of the car for them.
After Kurt had put Bradley down in the crib upstairs, and Blaine had tucked Justin in the little bed beside it, Isabella was awake and excitedly talking to Burt and Carole when they walked back down.
They all spent the rest of the late afternoon talking and catching up, Burt talking to Isabella about how she liked school, and Carole being shadowed by Elizabeth as they made cup cakes to be ready for tomorrow. Kurt and Blaine helped Carole make dinner while Burt played with all of the kids in the living room.
Eventually the jetlag caught up with the oldest 3 kids and they were all yawning after dinner, so Kurt made them all go upstairs and get ready for bed. Blaine had Bradley sitting on his lap, while Burt was still playing with Justin.
Carole had made them all a coffee and had sat down next to Blaine, as Bradley reached out his arms to her, and Blaine handed him over with a laugh.
"So, you guys aren't planning any more, right?" Burt asked out of the blue and Carole hushed him while Blaine just laughed uncomfortably.
"Erm..no, we haven't talked about any more." Blaine said a little nervously as Burt eyed him.
"Ok, I think you have enough anyway right?"
"Burt!" Carole admonished him and he laughed as he turned to his wife.
"Oh come on, at least let me have a jibe, I haven't been able to yet."
Blaine laughed at Burt's pouting face and Carole's glare.
"I don't think it's something you have to worry about Burt," Blaine had said with a small smile, "Kurt really doesn't want anymore...not right now anyway."
"Yeah," Burt responded with a sigh, "takes a lot out of him huh?"
"Yeah."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
"Dad! Dada! Wake up, wake up!" A little voice squealed into their ears.
"Ugh, w-what?" Blaine mumbled as he slowly blinked open his eyes. "What time is it?"
"I dunno, but the sun's awake," Isabella grinned as she bounced onto their bed again.
Blaine chanced a look at the alarm clock on Kurt's side of the bed, 7.15, shined back at him in bright red letters.
"Ugh Kurt, really, I can't do this," he mumbled before pulling a pillow over his head.
Kurt chuckled, "Oh sweetie, Happy Birthday!" he said cuddling Isabella close, before Isabella swept out of the room excitedly to wake up the rest of the house.
When it was somewhat quieter, Blaine slowly poked his head from under his pillow.
"I guess sleep is a lost cause then?" He chuckled amusedly and Kurt rolled his eyes before whacking him with his own pillow.
As their door opened again and Isabella ran back in, this time followed by an excited Justin, and a tired looking Alex. Kurt smiled at all of them as they climbed up onto the bed.
Blaine grabbed all of the kids up by their waists and pulled them in one massive hug, as they all squealed with laughter.
"Happy birthday sweetheart," He said as he placed a kiss against Isabella's head, and she giggled, "How old are you now? 16, 21?"
"I'm 5 daddy!" She laughed and he made a shocked face.
"Wow, already?"
Kurt laughed as Blaine then began tickling the kids, causing them all to wriggle around laughing.
"Okay, so I'll go down and make breakfast, while your daddy goes to get your presents. Seem like a good plan?" Kurt said as he watched Isabella's face light up and then she started pleading with Blaine to go and get them, as Kurt chuckled and walked out of the room.
"Can we have Izzy's birthday cake for breakfast?" Alex asked as he followed Kurt, causing him to laugh.
"Nice try buddy, but no." Kurt said and Alex pouted.
Isabella managed to wrangle everybody out of bed, and Kurt made everyone his very special raspberry and vanilla pancakes, Isabella's favourite, and after breakfast Blaine went to the car to fetch her presents. They had stashed them there the night before, and Isabella was practically bouncing in her seat on the couch when Blaine returned with his arms full of boxes covered in pink sparkly paper.
She made quick work of the wrapping and the boxes and squealed in excitement as every gift was revealed, Justin was sitting with her, eyeing all of the toys with curiosity and Elizabeth and Alex were just as excited to see what she had got.
Elizabeth and Isabella sat and played with her toys for the rest of the morning, Blaine and Burt took the boys into the back yard to play on the slide Burt had got for them, while Kurt helped Carole get the special lunch prepared and finished decorating the cake. The cake was pink, with little figurines of princesses on the top.
"The cake looks amazing, mom," Kurt said and Carole smiled up at him, "thank you for doing it."
"Oh it was no problem dear," Carole said as they worked through the cupcake frosting, "besides I don't really get a chance to bake that often."
"How's dad been?" Kurt asked as they looked out to where Burt was placing Bradley down the slide.
"He's been good, still tries to sneak snacks in, but I keep on top of it." Carole said amused, and Kurt rolled his eyes fondly.
"Good."
"How have things been with you guys?"
"Great, really great," Kurt replied as he watched Blaine with Justin and Alex, smiling when his husband laughed, "These past 8 month off has really been just what we needed to get us back on track."
"That's really great, I'm glad everything's better." Carole said with a smile, placing her hand in Kurt's, who squeezed her hand in return.
After lunch was completed they called them in to the kitchen and Kurt lit the candles as Isabella's eyes nearly bugged out at her birthday cake, and grinned as everyone applauded when she blew all the candles out in one blow.
Everyone had a great time with Burt and Carole, and everyone got a little teary eyed when the time came for them to go back home, Elizabeth was wiping her eyes as Carole spoke to her quietly, Bradley settled on her hip as Kurt and Blaine loaded the luggage and the toys back into the car.
"Don't leave it so long before your next visit," Burt whispered against his son's head, as Kurt wrapped his arms around him, "And we'll make sure to come down next Thanksgiving ok?"
Kurt cried into his father's shoulder as he said goodbye, it was still hard to say goodbye to his family, Burt scooped Blaine into his arms next, and Kurt watched with wet eyes as they spoke quietly to each other for a few seconds.
Elizabeth and Alex hugged their grandfather next, as Carole handed Bradley to Kurt and wrapped Isabella and Justin into her arms, letting a few of her own tears escape. Blaine got Alex and Elizabeth settled into the car as Kurt sat Bradley in his dad's arms, Burt placing a few kisses on his smallest grandson's head before Kurt took him to the car.
As everyone waved goodbye, Burt and Carole standing at the door wiping their eyes as they waved back, they drove back towards the airport in silence. Blaine took Kurt's hand in his over the centre console and Kurt smiled sadly at him as they made their way home.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Back at work, Kurt was much more relaxed. His relationship with Blaine over the last year had become stronger, they were a team, they were the leaders of their own pack. Sam had decided to take time off from his work for a little while to be their stay-at-home babysitter, and as it got closer to Bradley's 2nd birthday, everything seemed perfect.
Kurt and Blaine had been making time for each other, as well as time for their kids, everyone was getting the attention they needed and nobody felt stuck or left out. The youngest two were a lot better behaved, and Justin hadn't thrown a tantrum for over 3 months now. Life was great for them right now.
Then the phone call happened.
Justin had just turned 3, and after a big party full of family and friends, Pam had asked if she could have Elizabeth and Alex over for the weekend, Kurt and Blaine had a long discussion about it but in the end they had decided to let Pam take them.
The kids waved to their parent's excitedly as they left in a taxi with Pam, they had both promised to be good, it was hard for Kurt and Blaine to let go, so they decided to distract themselves by going out.
Puck and Sam had told them it was ok, they would be at home. So out they went.
Blaine treated Kurt to a nice meal out in a restaurant that they loved, a place they had only been to a certain number of times because of the amount of press surrounding it, but tonight they would enjoy themselves.
They had had a few picture taken of them, and a few questions thrown at them, but they ignored them all in favour of keeping their attention on each other. Blaine had held the door open for Kurt, who rolled his eyes fondly at him and placed a kiss on his cheek before walking inside. They were seated in their favourite booth, in the far corner, for a little more privacy.
"It was so hard letting them go today." Blaine had said once their orders were taken and their drinks placed in front of them.
"It really was, I mean I love that your mom wanted to have them, but I just..." Kurt trailed off as Blaine placed a hand over his, and he smiled lovingly up at him.
"I know, Kurt," Blaine said as he squeezed Kurt's fingers, "But tonight, I shall wine and dine you, and we shall forget our trouble and not have a care in the world about anything but us."
Kurt laughed at Blaine's words, and the way he had said them, before Blaine cheekily raised a glass to Kurt, and he rolled his eyes again and they both chuckled as they clinked them together.
Kurt's phone rang while they were sharing a dessert, Blaine had only ordered one spoon with the ice-cream, and he had wiggled his eyebrows at Kurt while his husband laughed at him, Blaine was intent on them sharing.
Blaine had waved at him to answer it, but Kurt frowned when he saw the caller I.D and Blaine became worried.
Kurt raised his eyes to watch Blaine, with equally worried eyes as he answered.
"Carole?" Kurt said quietly and Blaine stood up as Kurt's eyes filled with tears as he sat and listened to a frantic Carole, Blaine placed his hands on Kurt's shoulders as he kneeled by him, "Yes...ok Carole, it's ok, we'll be there soon."
"Kurt?" Blaine asked worriedly as Kurt said his goodbyes to Carole, a couple of tears rolling down his face, and Blaine brushed them away lightly.
"Dad's in the hospital." Kurt said before he burst into tears, and Blaine held him for a while, asking a waiter as he passed for the bill.
"What's going on Kurt?" Blaine had asked after he had managed to keep Kurt calm enough to flag down a taxi to take them home.
"He h-had another h-heart attack...and they don't know if-" Kurt cut off as a sob ripped from his throat and Blaine gathered him in his arms as he fought off tears of his own.
"Ok, ok, let's get home and packed again." Blaine whispered to him and Kurt lifted his head.
"What?" Kurt asked confused.
"You don't think I'd let you go alone, do you?" Blaine responded as he tightened his grip around him, and Kurt fisted Blaine's shirt in his hands.
"No, I know you wouldn't." Kurt sighed as he buried his face into his husband's chest, drawing comfort from him as Blaine's hands ran over Kurt's back and through his hair.
Everything was a mad rush when they got home, Blaine was telling Puck and Sam what happened as he packed their things to leave, and Sam said he would check online for flights tonight, while Puck told them that he would stay here and look after the kids.
Kurt was silent throughout all the rushing around, stuck in his own head. Puck sat with him and held him close as Blaine got everything together, and then booked their flight online. Kurt wasn't sobbing but his tears kept flowing down his cheeks, his eyes red and unreadable.
Puck and Sam felt their own tears come unbidden as they both cuddled with Kurt on the couch, until Blaine had everything ready. He had managed to book them a flight that left in about 2 hours, but they needed to go to the airport now to check in their luggage. Puck offered to drive, whilst Blaine held Kurt in the back, Sam made Blaine promise to let them know whatever happens.
On the plane back to Ohio, Kurt never said a word, but Blaine blew out a sigh as his husband drifted off into a fitful sleep, but at least he was resting.
Blaine hid his own turmoil to focus on Kurt, he knew he needed to be strong for him, but inside he was just as upset. Burt had become as close to a real dad to him, as with Kurt. He was afraid. Afraid for Kurt, and Carole, and the kids. But he also afraid that he wouldn't be strong enough for his family if the worst should happen.
He let the tears come as he sat next to a sleeping Kurt, he could cry while Kurt wasn't able to see, silently sobbing into his own hands as they neared Ohio, the sadness building in his chest.
He tried and failed to keep his eyes from getting red rimmed, and when Kurt stirred and woke up, both of them looked like they had been awake for 48 hours, cheeks stained with tear tracks and red, tired eyes. Kurt had kept one eye on Blaine as they walked out of the airport, but they both remained silent as they took a taxi to Burt's house.
They dropped their luggage off at the house, and then got straight back in Burt's truck outside, and made their way to the hospital.
"Are you ok?" Kurt asked quietly after they had sat in silence for about 20 minutes, and Blaine cautiously looked over to him.
"Yeah, I'm alright." He answered before placing a hand over Kurt's knee and squeezing it as they entered the hospital's parking lot.
It was a mad rush into the hospital and they terrified the woman at the reception desk with their bombardment, question after question being shot at the young woman, before Blaine calmly put his arm around Kurt and breathed for a moment.
"Please, could you tell us where his father is? Burt Hummel?" He asked slowly and she nodded as she scanned her information on the computer behind the desk.
"He's in room 813, on level 2, the elevator is down to your left." She said as politely as she could while trying to avoid eye contact with them both, and Blaine thanked her as he and Kurt ran to the elevator.
When they got to the room, with the numbers 812 on top, they spotted Carole coming out of a room down the corridor from them a little ways, and she spotted them and promptly burst into tears. Blaine and Kurt rushed towards her as her legs crumpled, barely able to stand with her sobs, and they caught her before she could fall, wrapping both of their arms around her, and cried with her.
"Blaine," Kurt said to him over Carole's head, she had her face in her hands against Blaine's chest, and Blaine looked up, "will you stay with her while I..."
Kurt indicated to the door, where beyond it Burt was laying, and Blaine nodded his head quickly, pulling Carole to him a little more, and Kurt smiled sadly at him, while he moved to push the door open.
Blaine heard a gasp as Kurt went inside, and he wanted to follow him, but Kurt needed time alone, so he wrapped Carole into his arms even tighter and waited.