I just checked my bank balance, and, I can confirm that if I owned Glee, I would have a whole hell of a lot more money in there. Just a fan girl. If you recognize it, I don't own it.
"Kurt?" Honey I'm home." Blaine called as he walked in the door, juggling a bunch of gift bags and his briefcase.
"I'm back in the nursery" Kurt called. "You won't believe what my coworkers did today."
Blaine walked toward his husband's voice. "Same here. I had quite the surprise today." Blaine reached the nursery and laughed, seeing a massive pile of gift bags around his husband, who was sitting on the floor, going through said bags. "Surprise shower at work?"
Kurt looked up and saw the bags hanging from Blaine's arms and started laughing. "Exactly. Hey, at least they did it the same day so I only have to do this once. Drop the bags. You wanna help me go through and get everything unpacked and put away?"
Blaine leaned over and put a kiss on the top of Kurt's head. "Sure. Thai for dinner?" he asked, moving toward the kitchen to grab the menu for their favorite carryout place.
"Sounds great. You know what I like." Kurt answered.
Blaine came back in a few minutes later, now in sweats and a tee shirt. "And, honey, you know you said something earlier that isn't entirely true"
Kurt looked at him in shock. "What are you talking about?" he asked, confused.
Blaine smiled. "We will have to do this again. Sure our coworkers have done their showers, but I know for a fact that the friends are planning one. Caroline and Allison were talking about it at brunch last weekend. They are just waiting until a little closer for the baby to be born. I mean, February seems a bit early. We still have 3 months until the baby is born. The girls are thinking early May, from what I understand."
Kurt rolled his head and shoulders, stretching them out. "Oh god. Does this mean we have to go and play shower games and listen to labor horror stories and…"
"Kurt" Blaine interrupted, laughing. "Deep breath." Kurt obeyed, closing his eyes and taking a deep, cleansing breath. "OK, now, yes, this means an actual shower, but, as we are both men, I am hoping they do co-ed so it's not a bunch of women and us. And, as neither of us are actually pregnant, this means instead of punch we can have sangria."
Kurt smiled and looked around. They had painted the walls of the nursery the first week of January. The soft blue ceiling, off white walls and white furniture were all part of the grand scheme. Next, they had a soft green carpet laid and Kurt had one of his coworkers, who was a very talented artist, come in and paint trees and nature scenes on the walls. They wanted their child to have a piece of the outside in their room, and, the scheme worked for either a boy or a girl. "This is starting to feel so real." Kurt said, reaching out and grabbing Blaine's hand in his and giving it a squeeze. "We really are going to have a baby."
Blaine sat down beside Kurt and laid his head on Kurt's shoulder. "Yes we are. And looking at this room makes it feel more and more real." He raised his head and met his husband's gaze. I know we heard the baby's heartbeat, and I know we've seen it in the ultrasound, but, something about seeing you sitting in the room folding baby clothes and moving the diaper packages, Kurt, I finally feel like an expectant father, and, can I be honest?" Kurt smiled and squeezed both of Blaine's hands in his, before Blaine continued. "I am so scared. I don't know how to be a Daddy. I mean, I know about feeding, and diapers, and things, but, what if the baby doesn't like us? How do we handle with a boy who is a macho boy and wants nothing but sports and cars? What if we don't love the baby enough? What if it cries through the night?"
"Blaine, stop." Kurt said, dropping one of Blaine's hands and reaching up to place a finger of Blaine's mouth to quiet him. "We will learn as we go. And anything we can't figure out on our own, we ask our parents. As for a boy who likes sports and cars, well, you are a sports fan and I know a bit about cars. The important thing is, we have to be a team, and we have to love our child and ensure he or she sees us living a life filled with love. Love for him or her, love for each other, love for our families, love for humanity. As long as we can do that, we will have done the best we can."
Blaine kissed the fingertip that was touching his lips. "How do you know just the right thing to make me calm down?"
Kurt laughed. "It's because I love you. And, I know when I have a similar freak out next month, you will know the perfect thing to say to make me calm down. And once we have that perfect baby in our arms, nothing else will matter."
The two men spent the evening cutting tags off of clothing, opening boxes, washing laundry, running the dishwasher, and putting everything away. As Kurt arranged the last of the diapers in the closet, Blaine looked and smiled. There were now clothes in the closet and the drawers of the dresser against the wall, bedding in the crib, wipes, diapers and powder on the changing table, a teddy bear in the rocking chair, and all of the other presents from the various showers they had been thrown so far. There was the surprise shower at McKinley at Christmas time, both of the work showers, and the furniture was gifts from the future grandparents at Christmas time, in lieu of a shower with them. Burt, Carole, Richard, Janet and Ken all pitched in and, knowing how particular Kurt would be, told him to pick out their desired nursery furniture. Janet then came to New York the first week of February and bought everything, then helped Kurt oversee the assembly and installation of all of it.
They were making regular trips to Ohio for Casey's various doctors appointments, and she was doing incredibly well. She was healthy, the baby was healthy, and everything was right on track. Her due date was the last day of school, and everyone was hoping she didn't have the baby early. Mid March, Casey came to New York to spend her spring break with them, most likely her last trip until after the baby was born.
"So, Casey, any interesting men in your life?" Kurt asked one night during Casey's visit.
Casey laughed. "Yeah, not too many men think I am available when they see me.
Blaine looked at his sister, who was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. Her skin was almost glowing, her hair was incredible, her eyes sparkled, and, with the exception of her baby bump, you couldn't tell she was 7 months pregnant. "But, is there anyone you are interested in?" he asked his little sister.
Casey blushed. "Well, there is the new math teacher. He started this year as well, is only a couple of years older than me, and we have had quite a few interesting conversations. He knows I'm carrying the baby for you two, and I am interested in him, but until I have the baby, I don't feel right dating any man. It's not like I can offer a normal relationship. And yeah, meeting his parents and friends will be fun. Oh, look, here's my girlfriend who is pregnant with her brother's child. That will go over REAL well." She looked both men in the eye. "But, I knew that was one of the things I would deal with during this process. I was aware of what I was getting myself into. I have the rest of my life to date and find Mr Right. I only have this year to give you two your first child."
Kurt wiped the tears off his cheek and leaned over to throw his arms around Casey. "We don't tell you often enough how much this means to us." He said against her shoulder.
Casey rubbed her hands on his back. "Kurt, stop. I know. You do tell me, but more than that, you show me. You have let me have input in the furniture and the nursery design, which is incredible, by the way. You have kept me informed of your name selections. You shower me with gifts, and not just maternity clothes, but books, pedicures, the spa day, things that show me you are thinking of me, and not just the uterus carrying your child." She released Kurt and looked at them. "OK, happier conversation. Do you two have any big plans for before the baby is born? One last trip without having to think of a baby?"
Blaine smiled over at his husband. "Well, we want to go somewhere for our anniversary next month. We originally thought cruise, but realized we wouldn't be available if we were needed for you, so, we are actually thinking of maybe going to Chicago. We can visit with Wes and Lily, see a show, shop on Michigan Avenue, and still be close by, and easily reached, if you need us, or, heaven forbid, go into labor early."
"You guys, no." Casey protested. "I know that you hate Chicago in April. Why don't you go to Vegas or LA or San Francisco? You will still be in the country and can be reached easily, but you have gone somewhere fun and relaxing for you. This is your last carefree vacation for 18 years. I understand wanting to stay in the country, but do something for yourselves."
Kurt looked at Blaine, a thoughtful look on his face. "She's right you know. Why don't we look into what sort of deals we can get for Vegas?"
Blaine laughed. "Vegas it is."
Casey headed back to Ohio and went back to work. Kurt and Blaine both worked their asses off before taking a week to go to Vegas to celebrate their 3 year wedding anniversary. They made regular trips to Ohio for Casey's doctors appointments. Janet and Carole were acting as Casey's birthing coaches, as Kurt and Blaine couldn't be there for all of the classes, so they were hearing regular updates from their mothers regarding the classes. The New York Crew, as Kurt liked to call their friends in New York, threw them a huge baby shower. The gifts were rather, well, interesting, to say the least. The women got diapers, onesies, blankets, sleepers, socks and bottles. The straight, single men got gift cards. And, the gay men, well, those were some incredibly impractable clothing and accessories. I mean, really, a sterling silver piggy bank? A fur lined car seat liner?
And suddenly, Casey's due date was a week away. She was uncomfortable and ready to have the baby, the expectant fathers jumped anytime their phones rang, ready to rush to the airport at a moments notice, and Rachel was driving them all insane. Calling Casey to talk about her labor nonstop, and calling Kurt and Blaine to give them advice on raising a child. They all three wanted to take her phone and shove it down her throat. Eventually, Finn had to sit down and tell her that if she didn't stop, he wouldn't take her with him back to Lima when the baby was born, and she would have to wait until Kurt and Blaine invited her to the city to see the baby.
"Kurt!" Rachel yelled the instant Kurt picked up his phone. "Finn is being mean to me and not letting me see your baby!"
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Rachel, that isn't Finn. That was Finn relaying a message from me." His voice softened. "Listen Rachel, we all love you, but you are driving us insane. You need to lay off. Casey does not need more labor horror stories, and you need to stop telling Blaine and I how to raise a child. We are intelligent men and we know what we are doing. It's not like none of our friends have children. We will be fine. And believe me, if we have any questions or problems, you will be the first person we call."
Rachel sniffed. "Promise?"
"Yes Rachel, I promise." Kurt answered. "So, do I have your word? No more calls to Casey or us going on and on about the labor and the baby?"
"Yes, I promise" Rachel answered, and Kurt could hear the tears still in her voice. He hated having to do that to her, but, sometimes when Rachel got on a roll, there was just no stopping her without slightly scratching her feelings.
The Thursday before Memorial day, Kurt and Blaine were on the phone with Casey, who had just gone in for a quick checkup. She was now at weekly visits to see how she was progressing, and to help prepare everyone. Kurt was too excited and couldn't take it any longer, so he interrupted Blaine. "OK Casey, what did the doctor say today?"
Casey laughed. "Well, I am at 3 cm and progressing nicely. We don't think it will happen this weekend though, so we're safe. I'm planning a simple weekend of hanging out at the house, looking over my lesson plans for the year, seeing how I can improve for next year. I still can't believe tomorrow is the last day of school."
Blaine laughed "Tell me about it. Oh god" he said, having a sudden epiphany. "That means that we will have a baby any day now."
Kurt and Casey laughed at the sound of total terror in Blaine's voice. "So, what are you two doing for the holiday weekend?" Casey asked, trying to distract her brother.
"Well, we haven't made any firm plans, trying to make sure we are available if you go into labor." Kurt answered. "However, there are a few barbeques and rooftop parties we have been invited to, and we will probably hit a couple of those."
Casey was pacing on her end, her back and hips hurting. She gave a little groan, that caught Blaine's attention. "Case? Everything ok?"
Casey chuckled. "Yeah, just normal aches these days. My body is getting ready to have this baby, so my pelvis is spreading, bones moving, and the baby has dropped, so now it is pressing on my bladder even worse than ever. I'm just sore and the doctor has told me this is totally normal." She paused for a minute, hearing a noise from the dining room where their parents were. "Hey guys, Mom and Dad are calling for me, so I'm gonna go and head down to chat with them. Talk to you later?"
"Ok Case, give our love to Mom and Dad. We'll call tomorrow. We love you. Thank you!" Blaine said.
"Love you both too. Night." Casey said, and they heard her disconnect the call.
Kurt hung up the phone in the kitchen and looked over to Blaine who was laying down the cordless phone he was using at the dining room table. "You OK Babe?" Kurt asked, seeing the look on Blaine's face.
Blaine smiled while running his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, it's just really here. We're going to have a baby any day now and I'm scared. Excited, but scared."
Kurt walked over and sat down on Blaine's lap, wrapping his arms around Blaine and giving him a comforting hug. "I know. Me too. And, according to my dad, that is totally a normal way to feel. He also told me that, no matter how scared we are, as soon as we hold that innocent, trusting baby in our arms, our hearts will overflow and we will know exactly what to do." He stood up and tugged on his husband's hand, getting him to stand up as well. "Now, let's go watch a mindless movie and make out on the couch. If you're lucky, I'll let you get to second base." Kurt wiggled his eyebrows and ran to the living room with a giggle.
Blaine laughed, following. "Honey, it's going to be a lot more than second base. I bet I can having you begging for me to touch you in less than 5 minutes."
Kurt giggled, sitting down on the couch. "Oh, I don't doubt it. You know my weaknesses all to well. I would be a fool to take that bet."
"Kurt." Blaine mumbled, nudging his husband. "Kurt, wake up."
"Mmmmm, what Blaine?" Kurt asked, his face buried in his pillow.
"Phone. Answer." Blaine mumbled.
It was Saturday morning, 4:30 in the morning to be precise, Kurt found out as he looked at his alarm clock as he reached for the phone that was ringing. "Hello?" he said sleepily.
"Good morning Daddy." Casey said, sounding oddly awake.
"Blaine, wake up, it's Casey." He said, nudging Blaine. "Casey, is something wrong?"
Casey laughed. "Not at all. But, you two will want to get on the first flight you can this morning. My contractions are getting pretty heavy and the Doctor says I will be at the hospital, most likely tonight."
She gave a little scream. "It's time! Come and get your baby!"
"Ok, I'll go see what flights we can get and we'll let everyone know when we are landing." Blaine looked at Kurt, confused. "Love you Casey!" Kurt called, hanging up the phone. "OK Babe, we need to get home. Casey is in labor and the Doctor says today or tomorrow we should have a baby."
I know, I'm evil. I am so sorry. But, I have a good chunk of the next chapter done, so it won't be nearly as long this time. I promise. So, next chapter, we will have a baby! And yes, I already know sex and name. I have been writing this story specifically for the next chapter. And, sorry to say, that will be the last chapter, followed by a small epilogue. But, never fear, this is not the end of the story, as these same characters are showing up in my collection of one shots I'm writing. Also, anyone wanna see the boy's trip to Vegas? I hadn't planned on writing it, but, if you want it, let me know and I can do it as a oneshot.