Nope, still don't own Glee.
"Reagan? Can you come in here real quick?" Kurt called to his assistant.
"Hey Kurt!" she said, pulling the door closed behind her. "So, how is everything going with the surrogate situation?"
Kurt smiled, loving how she had become a bit of a confidant for him at work. He didn't want to announce to the whole company what they were doing and, up to this point, Reagan had been wonderful in asking simple questions, just enough for him to feel like he wasn't holding everything in. Also, he has enjoyed watching her grow in her job over the summer. The additional duties she had taken on while he was out of the office had helped her catch the eye of the management team. She was now being offered a paid position as soon as her internship was done, and Kurt knew she would be a very valuable member of the magazine staff.
"Actually, that's what I need to discuss with you. I have a series of days I will be taking off over the next few months. Casey had to go to Ohio for her job so we will be flying back there for some doctors appointments here and there while we continue with the process." He clicked a few buttons on his computer before continuing. "I have emailed you the dates I will be out, for now. We are making them either Fridays or Mondays, so I won't miss more than a day of work."
Casey smiled. "I'll get them noted on your calendar." She pulled out a file from the stack she had in her hands. "On to other issues. Have you seen the latest graphics for the Christmas issue?"
Kurt rifled through the stack of folders on his desk until he found his copy of the graphics Reagan had in her hands. "I have. I am only happy with about half of these. What are your thoughts?"
An hour later Kurt and Reagan had gone through the issues that were pending his approval for the day. She was headed out to her desk to finalize the notes and emails that needed to be sent while Kurt headed to a meeting with the editorial team. He knew they were waiting until Thanksgiving to make broad announcements, but, he did have to tell the powers that be of his pending time off work, which meant telling them they were pregnant.
Everyone was thrilled for him and understood his need for time off over the next few months. They knew what a hard worker Kurt was and knew his work would not suffer. He quickly wrapped up the meeting and headed home, excited to beat Blaine home for a change and surprise him with dinner and a relaxing night in.
Kurt was pulling herb roasted chicken out of the oven when Blaine opened the door. "Well well well, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Blaine asked, laying his briefcase on a dining room chair and loosening his tie, walking over to Kurt and placing a kiss on his cheek.
Kurt smiled, laying down the pot holders and grabbing Blaine's jacket, pulling their bodies flush while angling his head to kiss his husband. "I got out of work early and decided we needed a nice, relaxing night in."
Blaine smiled against Kurt's lips, pulling him in for another kiss before stepping back. "That sounds wonderful. Let me go get out of this suit and I'll come help you finish dinner."
"No worries. I am about 5 minutes from being done. Go get your clothes changed while I get dinner dished up." Kurt instructed, turning back to the stove.
By the time Blaine was back in the dining room Kurt had food all dished into serving bowls, candles lit, wine poured and soft music playing in the background. "Wow. Mr Hummel-Anderson, are you trying to seduce me?" Blaine asked with a wiggle of his eyebrows and a smirk.
Kurt laughed. "It's not seduction if you're willing Babe. Nah, I just thought this would be relaxing, and a nice change. Don't worry, we're moving into the living room to watch movies after this."
They discussed their days while eating. "I told the editorial team today." Kurt finally said. "They are thrilled for us, asked me to pass on their congratulations, and told me to take whatever time I have to for various appointments."
Blaine laid his fork down by his plate. "I have an appointment with the partners tomorrow to tell them. Have you told anyone else?"
"No. I don't want to make those announcements until around Thanksgiving." Kurt told him. "Speaking of, how would you feel about having Thanksgiving here this year?"
"As in your parents, my parents, our siblings all in our apartment for dinner?" Blaine asked, shock evident in his voice.
"Yes." Kurt answered, sounding offended. "We can do it. It would be a great way to make the announcement. We can have someone in our guest room and others in hotels, or in the living room, if they want. This keeps Finn and Rachel from having to fly to Ohio, and I know her fathers are going on a cruise this year for Thanksgiving."
"Well, let's do a conference call with our Moms this weekend and we can discuss it with them." Blaine conceded.
September and October passed in a haze of work for both of the men, as well as discussions regarding living arrangement (move or stay) names (no agreement at all) and nursery theme. They had agreed they didn't want to know the sex of the baby, but if Casey did, that was up to her to decide. They did fly back to Ohio every few weekends for doctors appointments. After the first time when they heard the baby's heartbeat, Kurt wanted to swing by the cemetery to tell his Mother their news.
Plans were finalized for Thanksgiving. Casey was going to stay with them while Richard and Janet, Burt and Carole, and Ken all stayed in a nearby hotel. Finn and Rachel were coming into the city from Philly for the day. Once Kurt and Blaine remembered they had told everyone who would be at dinner about the pregnancy except for Rachel and Finn, they realized a big reveal wouldn't be necessary, so as they were finalizing plans Kurt told them then. And, Rachel had given birth to their son, Christopher on October 15th, so there were multiple reasons to celebrate this Thanksgiving.
All too soon, it was the day before Thanksgiving and Kurt was running around the apartment arranging furniture and confirming he had everything he needed to finish Thanksgiving dinner. Sure Carole and Janet were joining him early Thursday morning to cook everything while the men did their own things, most likely involving football, but he didn't want to have to leave once Casey got there.
Suddenly the buzzer rang. Kurt rushed over, pressing the button. "Yes?"
"Hey there father of my child! Let me up!" Casey's voice was heard.
"You stay put with your luggage. I'm sending your brother down. We can't have you hauling around a suitcase in your delicate state." Kurt laughed before calling to Blaine. "Blaine! Your sister is here! Go help her with her luggage!"
Blaine, who was in the guest room making the bed came out, an excited look on his face. "Going! Mom said she is starting to show a little bit. We get to kinda see our baby tonight!"
Kurt was finalizing his grocery list as he heard the Anderson siblings in the hallway. "Casey!" he said, throwing the door open and pulling his petite sister in law into a bone crushing hug.
Casey laughed. "Ok. Kurt, if you don't let me breath I die and your child dies too."
Kurt blushed, letting her go and helping Blaine with her luggage. "How was the flight?"
Casey smiled at the domestic sight in front of her, Kurt and Blaine working around each other in the kitchen, seeming to read each other's minds. "It was good. I don't know how Ken did it, but he got all of us, Mom, Dad, himself, me, and Kurt's parents on a flight together, at the last minute. When our other reservation got cancelled, we didn't know what we were going to do."
"How has he been?" Blaine asked, still a little leery of the new relationship with their birth father.
Casey, who totally understood where Blaine was coming from reached over and squeezed his hand. "Good. He isn't trying to go all Dad on me all the time. Just occasional dinners out, emails with little notes, phone calls to chat." She moved to the couch to sit down, pulling Blaine with her. "I think this is real with him. How about with you?"
Blaine smiled, almost shyly. "It's almost too good to be true. Whenever he is in town he makes a point of having lunch or dinner with us. He seems to actually listen when Kurt or I talk about things at work. And, like you said, phone calls and emails just to say hi and see how we're doing."
Kurt stood in the kitchen, watching this, loving that they were finally developing relationships with their birth father. He knew that this was something that had been plaguing Blaine for a while and seeing some sort of a resolution had, if possible, made their relationship even stronger. He finally had to interrupt. "Hey, I need to run to the store for a few last minute things for tomorrow. Do you guys need anything? Casey, are you having any funky cravings we need to worry about?"
"Well," Casey said, with a slight blush. "I am actually. Can you get me some peanut butter, chocolate ice cream, and fritos?"
Kurt made a face. "Please tell me you don't eat all of those together."
Casey laughed. "No, not all of them. The ice cream and peanut butter yes, but not the fritos. Oh! And, some decaf earl gray tea please? It's my new morning drink."
As soon as Kurt got home with the groceries the three of them sat around the living room, just talking, missing being together like they had over the summer. Kurt and Blaine, especially, really treasured their time living with Casey over the summer as they became good friends on top of being siblings. They stayed up entirely too late talking about their jobs when finally Kurt asked the question he had been wondering about ever since Casey revealed she would be working at McKinley.
"So, Casey, what is the atmosphere like at McKinley?" He asked, quietly, not meeting the eyes that were suddenly on him.
Casey, who knew about the problems Kurt had experienced at the high school, and, her brother to an extent once he transferred there, smiled. "Honestly, great. They have a very strict anti bullying policy now, regular presentations regarding bullying, and a very open policy for students to approach teachers with problems. I have had a couple of kids come to me already. And, the good thing is, yes there is a punishment for bullying, but there is also a program to try and get to the bottom of the reason they are bullying to try and help the bully as well."
Blaine perked up at that. "Hmmmm, that is interesting. Not many schools are working on that aspect. I would be interested in talking to the people who run the program and see what the results have been. It would be interesting to have for future cases I have involving bullying in schools. Is Emma still running the Guidance office?"
Casey shifted in her seat, stifling a yawn. "Yeah, but the anti bullying program is being run by a new counselor, Mindi Hartman. I'll give her your card and explain what you want to talk to her about and, maybe when you are in town at Christmas you can talk to her." Casey turned to Kurt. "And, before I forget, I am supposed to tell you hi from both Will and Emma and Sue wanted me to tell you that you had better come see her next time you are in town or she will release your nationals winning competition to all major news outlets."
Kurt laughed at that. "I swear, you do half of a year as a Cheerio and help them win Nationals and Sue thinks you owe her your life. Give Will and Emma my greetings and tell Sue I will stop by to see her." He looked at his pregnant sister in law, who was obviously exhausted. "Now, Miss Preggo, it is time for you to get in bed. You are barely able to keep your eyes open right now, and, unfortunately, I don't think either of us want to risk carrying you if you fall asleep."
Casey gave her good nights to them and headed to bed, Kurt and Blaine shutting off lights and following her example. They both went through their normal pre-bed routines and soon were laying side by side, ready to go to sleep. "Blaine, I know I tell you all the time, but I don't think you have any idea how much I love you."
Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt, pulling their bodies close. "The same goes for me. I don't know how I lived without you and I hate to imagine how lackluster my life would be without you." They kissed gently before both falling asleep, arms wrapped around each other, legs tangled together.
Thursday morning, Blaine woke up alone in the bed, Kurt's side already cold, and the sound of many voices in the kitchen. OK, the sound of 4 voices in the kitchen. He looked at the clock and realized the Moms were there, and they along with Kurt and Casey were cooking dinner. From the sound of the arguing going on Casey was supposed to be peeling potatoes while Kurt, Carole and Janet were actually cooking all of the meals, but Casey was wanting a more active roll in the meal prep. Blaine decided to go out and rescue everyone.
He pulled on jeans and a tee shirt, knowing he would get his shower as soon as he convinced his sister to pop a squat on the couch and keep the hell out of the kitchen, and, once he had a cup of coffee. "Casey." He muttered, entering the kitchen. "We all know your cooking history. Just sit down. As soon as I get my shower we can watch the parade and talk shit about the bands."
Kurt and Janet laughed, knowing this was a tradition for Blaine and Casey. "Good morning sweetheart." Kurt said, handing Blaine a steaming cup of coffee, leaning in for a small peck of a kiss.
Blaine deepened the kiss. "Mmmmm. Good morning to you too. I could get used to this. Being greeted with kisses and coffee and a meal being cooked every morning"
Kurt pulled back and swatted Blaine's ass. "Yeah, keep dreaming." He leaned in to whisper in Blaine's ear, assuring their mothers couldn't hear, "Unless you wake me up every morning with a blowjob, and find a way for me to not work, it ain't happening sweetheart."
Blaine blushed and silently turned to the bathroom. "I'm taking my shower. Casey! Get the TV on the parade!"
By the time the parade was over the food was all cooking or waiting to be warmed up at the last minute, Burt, Richard and Ken had joined them, and Finn had called from the train, saying they were about 45 minutes away from their apartment. Kurt came in from the kitchen and sat down on Blaine's lap, glancing at the TV to see what sort of sporting event they were watching. "Hey there." Blaine said, wrapping his arms around Kurt's waist, nuzzling into his neck.
Kurt smiled and leaned over to kiss the top of Blaine's hair, his curls behaving perfectly for the day. "Hey yourself. Getting ready for football?"
"Yep. By the time Rachel and Finn get here with Christopher to distract the womenfolk, us men will be watching football."
Kurt laughed. "Yeah, not all of us men. I'm gonna join the womenfolk with the baby."
Burt, who had heard the conversation started laughing. "Kurt, you know at some point in time you will end up in here watching the game."
Kurt blushed. "Fine, I will admit that, but it's not like I'm watching because I like football."
Ken looked up confused as the rest of the men laughed. "What's the joke I'm missing?" he asked, knowing there were family jokes he would have to learn, traditions still not learned yet.
Blaine pulled his now beet red husband closer to his chest as he answered. "Kurt likes to look at the asses of the players on the field in their tight pants."
Ken joined the men in their laughter. Blaine and Kurt were very thankful that Ken was so accepting of their relationship, not having been there from the beginning, and they were not very sure of his views on homosexuality. However, they were not going to change how they acted just to make his life more comfortable. He wanted to know his children, and Blaine didn't want to be something he wasn't.
Kurt finally raised his head. "OK, now that we are done playing let's embarrass Kurt, I am going to go get my shower before Finn and Rachel get here." He turned to the dining room where Carole and Janet were sitting and relaxing. "Moms? Either of you want to freshen up?"
They looked at each other before Carole answered. "That's OK Kurt, I think we're both OK, but we'll let you know if that changes"
The afternoon progressed just as Blaine predicted. Carole, Janet, Casey, Rachel and Kurt ended up in the dining room with Christopher while Finn joined Blaine, Ken, Richard and Burt in the living room yelling at the TV. Rachel was asking Casey about her pregnancy to date while Janet and Carole played with the baby. "He looks just like Finn did when he was born." Carole gushed, adoration evident on her face as she held her grandson.
Janet looked down, running her finger along the soft skin of Christopher's hand. "I always forget how tiny they are." She looked up at Carole. "And just think, we'll have another next year."
As soon as the women started talking about labor, Kurt knew it was time to leave the conversation. He headed to the living room where he sat on the couch between Blaine and Finn. "Hey Kurt" Finn said. "Ready to drool over football asses?"
Kurt wrinkled his nose. "Not quite, but I couldn't stay in there."
Burt looked up, a questioning look on his face. "Why? What's wrong?"
"They're talking about labor and delivery horror stories." Kurt said, with a shudder.
Burt and Finn laughed. "Oh just wait until the baby shower. And the hospital when everyone comes to visit. And every time a mother holds your child for the first time." Burt said.
Finn agreed. "Totally. And I will warn you, when Quinn and Tina get a hold of you, it will be nonstop."
Kurt and Blaine looked at each other with looks of horror. "Can't we just have the baby and not any of the other stuff?" Kurt asked.
The other men laughed. "No, it doesn't work that way." Burt told his son. "You get the bad along with the good. Yes you have an adorable cuddly baby who loves you and you get to watch grow. You also get backtalking, dirty diapers, vomit in the middle of the night, college costs, and everyone telling you how to raise your child, and women who have to share their labor and pregnancy horror stories."
Richard decided to speak up. "And, I can promise, even being a step-father, you are not immune to those issues. In fact, it's probably worse because people assumed I didn't partake in raising you, so they felt they could talk even more about how I should be helping raise you."
Ken looked at Blaine, tears evident in his eyes. "I'm sorry Blaine." He said, the tears falling freely.
Blaine and Richard both moved to Ken. "Ken, what's wrong?" Richard asked
"I failed as a father, and you had to take my job. How much difference could I have made in their lives if both of us had been strong father figures. Maybe Blaine wouldn't have been bullied, maybe Casey wouldn't have had to deal with as many problems with that teacher in middle school."
Blaine looked at Richard and shook his head when Richard began to speak. "Ken," Blaine said. "We can't look back and regret what was. Remember, those experiences are what made Casey and myself who we are today. If I hadn't had the bullying to deal with, I wouldn't have ended up at Dalton and I wouldn't have met Kurt. So, for anything bad, there was good that came out of it. You can't look back, only forward. That is what we have to do."
"Ken." Richard interrupted. "You weren't ready. That isn't bad or good, it's just a fact. What defines you as a father isn't the bad decision you made, it's how you fix it. And, from what I have seen, you are doing a hell of a job fixing it and trying to develop a relationship with your children. And, they have forgiven you. Now, for your relationship to continue to grow, YOU have to forgive yourself."
Finn decided to add his two cents. "Ken, Richard, if I may?" All of the men in the room turned toward him, curious to see what Finn had to say. "When we were sophomores in high school, Kurt had a major crush on me, even though he knew I was straight."
"Finn, do we have to bring that up?" Kurt asked, very embarrassed.
"Yes, I have a point here, just give me a minute." Finn answered, before continuing. "But, even though I made it clear to him I was straight, he still persisted, and we ended up in a difficult situation where I said some horrible things to Kurt. And, I will admit, I was very homophobic at that time." He looked over at his brother. "A year later, we were step brothers, sharing a room, and treating each other like brothers. Both of us grew, moved past the other's actions in the past and, I know, to this day, I would die for my brother. Kurt isn't my step brother, he isn't the gay kid who had a crush on me that I called a fag when he wouldn't take no for an answer. He is my brother. It was a case of how we moved and grew after the problems."
Burt reached over and put his arm around Finn, tears evident in his eyes. "Finn, the only time I was more proud of you was when you danced with Kurt at our wedding." Burt turned his gaze to Ken. "Ken, they're right. Don't look back, only forward. You can't change the past, but you can change the future. Focus on what you can change, not what you can't. Love your children, love your grandchild. That is your mark on the world, the love you have for them."
Carole stuck her head in the living room. "Kurt? You ready to help us finish dinner?" She looked at the men, all who had tears in their eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Ken looked up at Carole, smiling through his tears. "Not at all Carole. Everything is finally good."
I really wanted to have Christmas in this as well, but suddenly Ken had to have a moment and this got much longer than I ever intended. I never thought I would say I am at the mercy of the characters, and, for the most part I'm not, but Ken keeps throwing me for a loop. Next, Christmas.