Hey guys! :)

I am so sorry with how long it's been since I've updated - I'm fully aware of it, trust me! I feel so bad! Everything's been so crazy these last couple of months what with family summer holidays, work has been insane because i done about 80 hours of overtime over mid July/August on top of my normal hours and especially when Cory died, I don't know, I just kind of fell into this weird funk where I didn't want to do anything. Most importantly though, I'm moving to University on Sunday (22nd September) so as you can imagine, everything's pretty crazy right now trying to get ready and get everything packed and buying everything I need whenever I have spare time and I've also just bought a new laptop so I'm in the middle of switching everything over which is taking me for-ever! So I am really really sorry but I promise, as soon as I finish C17, it's all yours! I'm literally about halfway through now but with everything going on, I just have barely found time to sit down and write without being exhausted so as an apology to you guys and hopefully to keep you interested, I've decided to share the first little part of Chapter 17 (feels like ages ago since I wrote it!)

So enjoyy!:)

"I'm fine goddammit!" Burt protested from the passenger seat of the car that was being driven by Carole at a speed that was slightly, but very clearly over the legal limit. "For the seventh time, I don't need to go to the hospital!"

"Clearly you've suffered a case of amnesia as well as the heart attack in the last fifteen minutes because are you forgetting you had another heart attack just over a year ago?" Carole said through gritted teeth, clearly getting more and more stressed as more minutes passed and her husband was still protesting like a five year old in the seat beside her. "You would be stupid and irresponsible to not go see a doctor right now."

Kurt and Blaine sat silently in the back seat, their eyes darting backwards and forwards as they watched the two adults bicker backwards and forwards. Ever since they had walked through the front door and witnessed the startling scene in front of them, not even half an hour ago, Kurt had stayed impossibly silent.

As Carole asked either of them to call the hospital whilst she stayed impossibly by Burts side, running her hand up and down his back as he lent against the back of the sofa, catching his breath as the dull pressure on his chest and the shooting pains down his arm and neck slowly but surely subsided, Kurt didn't move an inch. Couldn't move an inch. He'd barely even registered that Blaine had been on the phone for almost 5 minutes now.

"Yes. Yes. I'm not sure how long it lasted - my boyfriend and I walked in as - Okay, his wifes just told me it only lasted around a minute and a half, maybe two. He's a little short of breath but nothing like he was a few minutes ago. Okay. Yep. Yep we're leaving now. Thank you so much for your help." Blaine pressed the 'end' button on the screen of his phone, promptly ending the call. He hadn't even put his phone back in his pocket before he lifted his head, saying "we have to go - they want us to go up there right now" to Burt and Carole.

Although he appeared physically fine and much better than he had a few minutes ago, Carole still wound her arm around Burts waist, supporting him as they walked out of the front door, Carole picking up her handbag and car keys and Burt protesting his physical fitness along the way. Despite not having emptied his pockets the whole ten minutes they had been home, out of habit, Blaine patted his pockets to made sure he still had everything he might need and as he was just about ready to walk out of the door, Kurt still had yet to move.

"Kurt?" Blaine cooed. The gentle touch of Blaines hand against Kurts arm was the first thing Kurt had physically responded to since they had walked through the front door. He slowly turned his head towards Blaine, his eyes red rimmed and his bottom lip slightly pouting outwards. Kurt looked at Blaine with such vulnerability that instantly made him look ten years younger, almost like a scared little boy and Blaine could have died right there and then because the sight was nothing short of completely and utterly heartbreaking.

"Come on babe, we need to go". Kurt didn't even respond, nod - nothing, as Blaine, with a reassuring arm around Kurts waist, guided them out of the front door and opened the car door for them both.

"Hey" Blaine softly nudged Kurt with the side of his body. As Kurt turned to face him, his face stoic but his tear stained cheeks confessing everything, Blaine offered him the warmest of smiles, a reassurance that he was there and always would be there. "Are you okay?"

Kurts eyes dropped as he didn't reply instantly. He slightly bowed his head before raising it back up, meeting Blaines eyes and when he did reply, not at all to Blaines surprise, Kurt shook his head signalling "no" and if his facial emotion was anything to go by, he was far from okay.

"C'mere" Blaine whispered as he lifted his arm and wrapped it around Kurts shoulders as Kurt, without hesitation, snuggled into his side, clutching tightly at Blaines shirt with his hand.

"Love you" Kurt murmered sadly against the fabric of Blaines shirt as Blaine kissed the top of his forehead, running his hand up and down his arm in an attempt to offer some comfort.

"You too" he replied. Blaine was fully aware that there was probably nothing that he could say right now that would offer Kurt any reassurance. This wasn't Burts first heart attack and from previous conversations, he knew how scared and alone Kurt had felt at that time and so Blaine knew that as well as being completely terrified, he sensed as though a feeling of resignment had washed over Kurt this time, like bad things were always destined to happen to their family and so even though words probably wouldn't do much right now, Blaine hoped his actions would remind Kurt that he was there and always would be there.

So I hope you enjoyed the preview - let me know what you thought and I promise, the rest is on the way soon - asap! Lots of love! xxx