Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I was really busy this week, but I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Coming from a very privileged family, Blaine didn't realize how hard being on his own would be. It also didn't help that he had no where but his car and the hospital to even go. Blaine had always imagined that when he moved out, that it would be to an apartment, probably a crappy one. Everyone got a crappy apartment their first time around, but at least it would have been a place to stay, a place to call home. Truth be told, he should have moved out ages ago, but things happen and plans change. Blaine never thought that his plans would ever change to this though.
Blaine contemplated all of this as he stood in the shower in the hospital and tried to figure out what to do. He couldn't tell Kurt about this, that he was certain of. They had just started out. He couldn't possibly thrust his problems on Kurt like this. He could maybe get an apartment with his salary, but it would be pretty tight. Interns really do not make a lot of money. He really was just stuck. After grabbing a towel, Blaine stepped out of the shower and began to dry off. He pulled on a pair of fresh scrubs. He was lucky that he basically lived in scrubs and scrubs were free. After, he gelled his hair back and pulled on his white lab coat. Rounds were starting and Cooper would kill him if he was late. So, Blaine rushed down the hallway and caught up with the rest of his group.
"Where were you?" Kurt asked quietly as they walked.
"I was late." Blaine said immediately. "Car problems." All six of them walked into the first patients room.
"Dr. Anderson, you present." Cooper said. Blaine pulled the patient's chart from the bottom of the bed and looked at it.
"Albert Jacobs, 43, diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, and is waiting for a new liver." Blaine told the rest of the group.
"Yeah, how we doing on that?" The man asked. "I mean, being yellow was fun for a little, but it's getting old now." Cooper laughed.
"We're getting there Al." he replied. "Any day now, we'll be slicing you opened and putting a new liver into to you."
"Now that's what I like to hear." Al said with a smile.
"Blaine, you'll be in charge of Al's care today." Cooper told him. "The rest of you, we're moving on." As the rest of the group left, Blaine took a seat next to Al's bed.
"Okay Albert, I'm going to take some blood just to make sure you're in good shape for when we get a call about a new liver for you." Blaine said.
"Sure kid." Al replied. "But, seriously, call me Al. I hate the name Albert. I mean what were my parents thinking naming me that?" Blaine laughed as he pushed the needle into Al's arm.
"Well if it makes you feel better my name is Blaine." he told the man.
"Oh, that is a weird one." Al replied. "Can't even make a nickname out of that one."
"No you can not." Blaine replied slipping the needle out of Al's arm.
"So what's your story?" Al asked.
"My story?" Blaine asked. "What story?"
"Come on doc." Al said. "Everyone's got a story. Why are you here?"
"Because I wanted to help people." Blaine replied. "Being a doctor is in my blood. Why are you here?" Blaine asked. Al got quiet.
"Few years back, I got laid off and my best friend became my bottle of beer." Al said. "I had a wife and two kids. I haven't talked to them in years. My son's 21 and in college. My baby girl is graduating from high school this year." he told Blaine sadly.
"Well, this new liver can be a second chance." Blaine told him. "Call them and talk to them. You'll never know what they think,unless you try to reach out to them."
"Yeah...you're right doc." Al replied.
"Well I'm going to take this blood down to the lab and make sure you're all set for your second chance." Blaine told him.
"Have fun doc!" Al called before Blaine left, which made him smile. He loved getting patients like Al. Even though their prognosis may be bad, they're still remained so hopeful and happy. Blaine handed the blood work into the lab and much to his surprise, Kurt was behind him when he turned around.
"Whoa, didn't mean to scare you." Kurt laughed. "I'm dropping off blood work too."
"It's okay." Blaine replied. "I just didn't see you. Get anything good today?" he asked, hoping to keep the conversation related to work.
"Nah, I'm just working the pit." Kurt replied. "Maybe I'll get lucky and get a big trauma."
"You never know." Blaine replied hopefully.
"So, I was thinking, maybe we should go somewhere tonight." Kurt said hesitantly. "I mean, we've never actually been on a date...just got drunk and had sex in my bed."
"I- I don't know." Blaine replied. "I would love to, but I don't know how long I'll have to be with this patient. You know, Dr. Anderson will probably make me say all night and wait for UNOS to call." Blaine said, when suddenly his phone began to vibrate.
"Looks like they're calling you now." Kurt said with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess so." Blaine said with a smile. "I have to take this." he added before hurrying away to answer. The person at UNOS told him that their was a liver for Al just an hour away. Blaine was thrilled. He went and told Cooper the good news and then he got to tell Al.
"Hey doc!" Al said brightly when he walked in.
"I've got some news." Blaine said. "We found you a liver!" Al's face lit up with joy.
"Really?" Al exclaimed. "Like today is actually the day?"
"Yup." Blaine replied, beaming with joy.
"Wow…" Al said softly. "I never thought I'd see this day." he added, his voice a little choked up.
"Is there anyone you want to call?" Blaine prompted. "Give them a chance Al. They might surprise you."
"You can try." Al said. "I don't know what they'll say, but you can try." Blaine smiled.
"I'll come back and get you prepped later." Blaine said. "I have some phone calls to make." he said. Blaine went out to the nurses station and was just about to call Al's family when Cooper walked by.
"I'm going to get the liver." Cooper said. "You're in charge of Al. He better be alive when I get back, got it little brother?"
"Got it." Blaine replied. "Don't worry, he will be." Blaine mumbled as he watched Cooper walked out to the ambulance with his cooler to carry the liver back. Then, he took a seat in one of the chairs and dialed the number listed in Al's file for his wife.
"Hello," Blaine heard over the phone.
"Yes, is this Donna Jacobs?" he asked.
"Yes, may I ask who is speaking?" she replied.
"My name is Dr. Anderson at New York Memorial Hospital and I'm one of your ex-husbands doctors." Blaine told her.
"Wait? Why is my ex-husband in the hospital?" the woman asked frantically.
"Ma'am, he has stage 4 liver cancer and needs a new liver, but I'm happy to tell you we found him one." Blaine told her. "He asked me to call you and see if you would come out here."
"I-I don't know…" Donna replied.
"Mrs. Jacobs, Al told me about his past," Blaine said. "I know that what he must have done back then was awful, but he just wants a chance to apologize and start over. Just give him that chance."
"Fine." She told him. "I'll come with my children, but I can't promise that we'll stay. Neither of my children are very happy with their father."
"All Al asks is that he gets an opportunity to talk to them." Blaine reassured her. "I'll see you soon Mrs. Jacobs." he added before hanging. Blaine felt incredibly accomplished and happy for Al. He was going to get his second chance and see his family. Suddenly, he felt his pager go off. It was Al.
"No, no!" Blaine said as he sprint from the nurses station down to Al's room. He wasn't breathing and his stats were dropping fast. "I need a crash cart in here now!" Blaine yelled. He began to perform CPR as a few nurses raced in with a crash cart. Blaine quickly took it from them and rubbed the two paddles together. "Clear!" he yelled as he pressed them down onto Al's chest, but nothing happened. "Come on Al! Clear!" Blaine tried again, but it was no use, Al was gone. "Time of 4:24" Blaine said sadly as he set the paddles down before leaving the room. How could this have happened? He was fine. He was getting a second chance. Now, Blaine had to call Cooper and tell him, which was absolutely terrifying. He dialed Cooper's cell number and waited as it rang.
"What is it Blaine?" Cooper asked.
"We won't be needing that liver." Blaine said. "He coded. I did CPR and I shocked him twice, but his heart had just worked too hard."
"Shit…" Cooper muttered. "He was a good guy."
"I know." Blaine replied. "Now, I have to tell his family."
"His family?" Cooper asked. "What family?"
"He asked me to call them." Blaine said. "They should be here any moment."
"Good luck. I'll be back soon." Cooper said before hanging up. Out of the corner of Blaine's eye, he caught the glimpse of a woman and two teenage children and he heard her ask for Dr Anderson. Blaine figured that she must be Al's ex-wife. He walked over to her and tapped her shoulder, "Mrs Jacobs?" he asked.
"You must be the doctor I spoke to on the phone." She replied.
"Yes, I am." Blaine said. "Can you come and talk with me for a few minutes, all of you." He led them over to the waiting area and they all took a seat. "Your father and ex-husband was doing remarkably well, but he…" Blaine paused. He had never told a family that their loved one had passed away. This was hard. "His heart failed just a few minutes ago. I did CPR and we shocked him twice...we did everything we could. I'm so sorry."
"He's dead." Mrs Jacobs said. Blaine didn't know if it was really a question or she just needed to say it, so he just nodded his head.
"You can see him." Blaine said. "If you want to."
"I want to see him." Al's daughter, Bethany said jumping in."
"Me too." His son, Robert added.
"You guys sure?" Mrs Jacobs' asked her children. Both teenagers nodded their heads. Blaine lead them down to Al's room where he still was.
"Oh daddy…" Bethany cried as she raced to her dad's side. Robert stayed frozen at the door like he couldn't believe that this was really happening.
"For the record, he loved all three of you." Blaine said. "He was proud of both of you and he wanted more than anything to get a chance to talk you again. I'll give your some time alone with him" Blaine said stepping out of the room. Blaine walked down the supply closet and went inside. He took that moment to let out a deep sigh and a single tear rolled down his cheek. If there was one thing he had learned from Al was that second chances don't wait around. You have to take risks and put yourself out there if you want to get anywhere or for life to get better. So, that night after work was over, Blaine drove over to Kurt's apartment. He stood outside the door for a minute just working up the courage to knock. Finally, he did and the door opened to reveal Kurt.
"Blaine?" Kurt asked as he shut the door and went into the hallway. "What are you doing here?"
"I-I need to talk to you." Blaine said. "I-I told my dad, about me being gay."
"Blaine, that's wonderful." Kurt interjected.
"He kicked me out." Blaine told him. Instantly, Kurt's face dropped.
"When did you tell him?" he asked.
"About two weeks ago." Blaine replied.
"You've been living...where have you been living?" Kurt asked confused.
"My car and the hospital." Blaine told him.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Kurt sighed.
"I didn't want to scare you away and it was my problem." Blaine said. "But, I've realized that I have no other options, so I begging you to-"
"Stop." Kurt said. "You don't have to beg. Blaine, I care so much for you. Of course you can move in. I'll talk to Rachel and make sure she keeps us quiet. Now, come here." Kurt added as he extended his arms towards Blaine. Blaine hugged him back and nestled his face into Kurt's shoulder. "We'll figure something out." Kurt reassured him. And, Blaine believed him. Kurt was his second chance and Blaine had just taken the first step on his road to happiness.