Chapter Eight:

"What do we say to Larry?" Quinn asked the next morning as she and Sam lay in bed.

"I don't know." Sam answered honestly.

"Me either, but whatever we tell him is going to affect him in some way."

"It sure is, maybe we don't tell him anything for now, until we figure out what we're going to do. We have to remember he's only seven years old."

"I think that's probably a good idea. We've got time to decide what we're going to do. I don't want him getting his hopes up about getting a brother or sister and then having to tear them from under his feet."

"I agree. It's just difficult because I feel we're keeping things from him."

"We are, but would he really understand?"

"He won't understand." Sam said finally. He looked around the room which was filled with sunlight. "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day." He added.

"I get that feeling too. I'm surprised Larry's not up yet!"

"Shhh! You'll jinx it. I'm enjoying this peace and quiet, just listen to those birds chirping softly." He joked. "I think I'll get up and start on breakfast, he'll be up soon." She sat up in bed.

"Stay here with me." Sam said pulling her back down next to him. "Isn't it so much nicer down here than up there?" He mumbled.

"I have to agree." Quinn said, she closed her eyes and embodied the silence that filled the room. She could feel herself drifting back to sleep.

Quinn must have fallen back to sleep although she wasn't sure how long for, all she knew was that Sam wasn't lying next to her when she opened her eyes. She slowly got out of bed and put on her slippers and dressing gown. She crept downstairs hoping Larry was still asleep, she hadn't even looked at the alarm clock when she'd awoken, she'd just got up. She could hear the radio on in the kitchen with Sam singing quietly along. Quinn felt the urge to join in but resisted, she hadn't sung in so long. She quietly entered the kitchen and saw Sam alone cooking breakfast. "Hey sleep head" he said greeting her with a smile and a kiss. "What time is it?" She asked rubbing her eyes.

"Just gone nine." He replied glancing at the clock.

"Where's Larry?"

"He's still asleep! Can you believe it?"

"Really? Does he know what day it is?" Quinn replied.

"I'll wake him once breakfast's done."

"What time did you get up? I haven't been asleep that long have I?" She asked.

"Well, I got up maybe twenty minutes ago. You were going to get up at eight remember? Good job you didn't; Larry's still asleep and breakfast would have been ruined." He joked.

"I just can't believe he's not awake. He was so excited yesterday I'm surprised he's even slept."

"Well breakfast's about done; shall we go and wake him?" Sam asked putting an arm around her.

"Come on then, let's go and break the silence."

Quinn and Sam sat at the end of Larry's bed just watching him sleep.

"He looks so peaceful..." Quinn whispered.

"Should we leave him?" Sam asked.

"We shouldn't really, he might sleep all day." Quinn laughed.

"Larry? Larry?" Sam said shaking Larry's body. "Hey sport, it's time to get up."

"Five more minutes..." Larry said dreamily.

"It's the big day!" Quinn announced. Larry's eyes shot open and he dived out of bed.

"Let's go!" He shouted.

"Not just yet, it's breakfast first." Sam told him.

"Then can we go?" Larry asked.

"We'll see. It starts at 11:30 and it is 9:15 now, so how long do we have?" Quinn asked testing him. Larry's face screwed up with concentration. "Two hours and fifteen minutes!" He eventually replied.

"Well done! You're getting to be quite the genius aren't you?"

"I try!" He laughed

"Come on then, let's go for breakfast." Quinn said, but before she could stand up Larry was out of the door. 'So much for five more minutes' Quinn thought.

"Larry, do you have everything?" Quinn called an hour later.

"I think so!"

"You have your boots? Your shin pads?" She asked

"Yeah, check and double check."

"Come on then, let's go. Dad's in the car waiting."

"Wait one minute!"

"Larry, we'll be late if we don't set off now." She heard Larry close his bedroom door and as he reached the stairs, she realised how fast he was growing up.

"I'm ready" he said running down the stairs.

"So you haven't forgotten anything?"

"Nope"

"Not a thing?"

"I don't think so."

"So, you won't need this?" Quinn pulled his soccer shirt from behind her back. She threw it to him, Larry's face beamed with happiness. "What's this?" He asked.

"Turn it around." Sam said coming out of the kitchen laughing.

"I thought you were in the car?" He said looking puzzled.

"Just turn it around" Sam repeated. Larry turned the shirt around and saw "EVANS" with the number eleven on the back. "It's my shirt!" He exclaimed. "How did you get this?"

"Coach Riley brought it over a couple of days ago. Do you like it?" Quinn asked.

"I love it! This is the best thing ever!"

"Come on, let's go and win this tournament then!" Quinn shouted.

"It's about the taking part that counts, Mum." Larry told her. Quinn's heart burst with pride.

"Oh Larry!" She said hugging him. They left the house all smiling, but Larry was in for one more surprise.

They arrived at school in good time, the first game started at 11:45, which gave the teams time to register and warm up. Coach Riley was waiting in the car park for his players to turn up. Larry was the first to arrive. Quinn got out of the car and looked around, she couldn't see Kurt's car in the car park. She and Sam had concocted a plan; Sam would keep Larry occupied until his friends arrived, once Kurt and Blaine had arrived, Quinn would rush them over to the touchline ready for kick off. Quinn couldn't wait to see Larry's face when he realised Kurt and Blaine were there. Quinn was lucky that Larry knew Mercedes was coming to watch so she didn't have to worry about hiding her.

"Are you excited then Larry?" Sam asked as he helped Larry put his boots on.

"Yeah, I just wish Uncle Kurt and Uncle Blaine were here. You're here, Mum's here and Aunt Mercedes will be here. Uncle Kurt and Uncle Blaine are my family too; I wish they could be here."

"I know son, I'm sorry." Sam was struggling to keep his face from bursting into a big smile. He hated lying to Larry. "If I score today, it'll be for Uncle Kurt and Uncle Blaine. I saw on TV that soccer player say 'that was for you' after they score."

"That's called a dedication. So you're going to dedicate a goal to Uncle Kurt and Uncle Blaine?"

"Yes"

"You're the sweetest kid ever, you know that? Right you're ready. Coach Riley's waiting so go and warm up with the team. Enjoy yourself out there." Sam hugged Larry tightly. His little boy really was growing up. "High five for luck?" Larry asked.

"High five for luck." Sam repeated raising his hand, Larry high fived him and then ran over to his team mates. Sam walked over to the sideline where Quinn had managed to sneak Kurt and Blaine over without anyone noticing. "Hey guys, he's just warming up now." Sam said as he walked over to them. "How long until his first game?"

"Well he's on pitch B at twelve, so twenty five minutes. Do you think we can keep these two under wraps until then?" Sam joked.

"I hope so, I can't wait to see his face" Kurt said.

"Me either, plus I haven't seen him in ages" Blaine added.

"Me either!" A voice said behind them.

"MERCEDES!" Quinn shrieked, "Glad you made it!" She added hugging her friend.

"Could I miss my godson's soccer tournament after I promised him I'd be there?" She laughed.

"Oh Mercedes, it's been too long." Kurt said hugging her. Sam went to hug her too, but got distracted when he heard "SAM! Keep a look out! We've done well so far." Sam returned to Blaine's side and watched for Larry. "Wait, what's going on?" Mercedes asked looking confused.

"Larry doesn't know Kurt and I are here. We told him a little white lie." Blaine informed her.

"Should we make our way over to the pitch? Larry'll be over here any minute."

"Quick! Let's go!" Quinn demanded.

"Quinn, have I ever told you that you'd make an awesome army general?" Sam joked as they walked across to the second pitch.

"He's here." Mercedes said spotting Larry's blonde hair across the pitch.

"Quick unfold the banner." Quinn ordered. Sam held one end as Kurt held the other, his eyes hidden by sunglasses. Quinn had made a banner that said "Larry, here's your good luck surprise." It took a while before Larry made his way over to their pitch. Blaine and Kurt took off their sunglasses hoping to encourage a reaction from Larry. Coach Riley saw the banner and nudged Larry in their direction. Quinn saw Larry concentrating as he read the banner. He ran over to them and slowly realised what his surprise was.

"UNCLE BLAINE!" He shouted.

"Hey buddy!" Blaine said scooping Larry up into his arms.

"I can't believe you're here! Uncle Kurt, you're here too!"

"We're here to cheer you on!" Kurt told him.

"WOW! I can't believe it!" he beamed.

"Do you like your surprise then Larry?" Quinn asked.

"I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Good luck buddy." Kurt said as he hugged Larry.

"I have to go and play now." Larry said sounding incredibly grown up.

"Good luck!" They all shouted. Larry ran back over to his team with an extra spring in his step.

"I don't think he'll be bothered about winning anymore..." Sam said as he watched Larry run off. Sam put his arm around Quinn "...plus he knows it's about the taking part that counts." He added whispering in her ear. Quinn smiled to herself, she had a great feeling about today.