RyderPOV-
''Is that a hickey,'' Penny teases, sitting on the counter.
It's a particularly slow day, and I don't have classes.
''Shut up,'' I push her hand away, moving my collar to try and cover it.
''So you and Blair taking advantage of your alone time,'' she smirks, pulling her hair back, ''Hot.''
''You're such an idiot,'' I mutter, and she just laughs it off.
''Enjoy it while it lasts. Because it probably won't be happening as much as it is now,'' she reminds me.
''You sound like her,'' I run a hand through my hair.
It's the third week of October. Classes are getting harder, and Blair and I are both trying to work extra shifts before the baby gets here.
''So, is it a boy or girl,'' she questions, rifling through a box of CDs.
''She is only sixteen weeks pregnant. We won't know until she's at least twenty weeks.''
''Well let me know. I wanna get him or her a little gift,'' Penny smiles ,''And Halloween is next week. I expect you to come in costume. And tell Rory. I'll tell Angela.''
''Got it,'' I nod ,''So what are you gonna be?''
''I'm not sure. Oh, and just so you know, wearing your Marvel's Captain America shirt does not count as costume,'' she points at it.
''You are absolutely no fun,'' I stick my tongue out.
''And you are a child. I'm gonna go stack the new vinyls. I'll be back,'' Penny hops off the counter, and marches towards the display.
Blair and I have twenty-four weeks to prepare for this baby. We've managed to set the crib up in our room, and we've got the mattress and one set of sheets already. We decided that it would be for the best to find out the gender before we do any more shopping.
The baby isn't even here yet, and it's already getting difficult. But Blair and I can do this. We've gone through a lot together, so I know we can do this.
''I really wish that you would not do that to yourself. You're beautiful,'' I tell Blair.
After taking off her uniform, she stands in the mirror, examining her stretch marks.
''Thanks,'' she runs her finger up the jagged, red mark, completely ignoring me.
''Would you please stop,'' I stand up, completely sick of the way she sees herself, and take her face in my hands ,''I know you don't like the way you look, and you've been struggling with your body image for a while. But do not do this to yourself, okay.''
''I love you,'' she smiles a bit, ''You know that?''
''I love you, too. Now, please come to bed, so we can go to sleep.''
BlairPOV-
Sixteen weeks along. And I love this baby so much already. We've agreed on Noah for a boy, Jasmine for a girl. And, in about four more weeks, we will be able to find out.
Ryder has been so supportive, considering that he is just as afraid as I am. There is going to be this tiny, innocent, defenseless human being that we are responsible for.
But as terrifying as this is, it's also amazing. Unplanned, but definitely not unwanted.
Kurt and dad have been so amazing, too. We honestly would not be able to afford the bottles without them, and they're giving us Grace's old changing table since she doesn't need it, and Sugar's parents got them one.
I can't believe I just thought that. My daughter, my first-born, is out of diapers. She's walking and talking and, yes, throwing temper tantrums. Now that I don't live there anymore, I've missed so much.
But not anymore. Ryder and I have thought about this a lot. And we honestly think that the best place for little Noah or Jasmine is with us. There is the option of adoption if we honestly think we can't do this a few months into the pregnancy, or even for a while after he or she is born. Nick and Jeff, Kurt and dad's neighbors, are looking to adopt.
Even Brody as offered to help. He told me that he wants to make up for not being there when I was growing up, even though I told him it isn't necessary. He's insisting,telling me the minute that he gets back to New York, he wants to meet up with me.
We can do this. Ryder and I have a great family to support us, and we are going to love this baby and take care of that. If I'm not sure of anything else, I'm sure of that.
And, for the first time in what seems like forever, I get a good night's sleep.
KPOV-
''So that is why we have to share. Now apologize to Jacob,'' I tell Grace.
''Sorry,'' she looks at him.
''It's okay,'' he smiles at her.
We're still trying to make her understand the value of sharing, but it's not as bad as it was this time last month, so I'd say that's progress. We gave her a ten minute time out, and that seemed to calm her down.
''Now, let's go,'' I put her coat on ,''or we will be late.''
''Where?,'' Jacob asks.
''Grace has dance class today, for two year olds to four year olds.''
''Can I go,'' he asks excitedly, and I look to Blaine.
''It seems like a good idea. Blair started when she was five, and I think Jake started when he was three,'' he says the next part quietly, so only I can hear him ,''And it looks like Jacob, Liam, and Jade will be staying with us a lot longer than we anticipated. It'd be nice for them to be involved in activities that interest them.''
''I agree,'' I nod.
They'd managed to contact the kids' aunt, but she is doing missionary work in Africa, and won't be home until next year. We'd explained we'd be more than happy to care for the kids, so everything is settled.
''Sure,'' I hand him his jacket, then look up at Jade and Liam, ''Do you guys want to go?''
''I do,'' Jade stands up from tying Jacob's shoes.
''No thank you,'' Liam says, shaking his head.
He's opened up a lot more in the past month, which Blaine and I are grateful for. Like Jade has taken a liking to spending the day with Blair when she doesn't work, Liam likes spending time with Rory. And it works out for us, because Jade will be a teenager next month and Blaine and I barely understand teenage girls.
There are some issues with sharing and temper tantrums, but Jacob and Grace get along for the most part.
Dad and Carole, as predicted, took the kids out shopping while they were here, as did Mrs. Anderson. Cooper and Danielle will be here for Thanksgiving.
''Well, we'll see you two later,'' I tell Liam and Jacob, ushering the other three kids out the door.
''It's okay, Mr. Hummel,'' Lilly, a sophomore at Darren Everett and a member of the glee club, says ,''I can watch Grace and Jacob during class. And, if you want to sign him up, then we can talk to the instructor about any openings.''
''Thank you so much, Lilly. I'm going to take Jade around, see if we can find anything she likes.''
There's singing, arts, theatre, and-
''Oh a sewing class,'' she smiles, walking towards the room, ''For ages twelve and up. I think I'd like to try this.''
About fifteen minutes later, she is signed up and I sit in the lobby,waiting for the kids to finish.
''Aren't you a sight for sore eyes,'' a familiar accent says, and I look to see Adam.
''Hey, what are you doing here,'' I grin as he sits next to me.
''Dropping my friend's niece off. Chandler's busy, so I thought it'd be a nice thing to do for him,'' he explains.
''So I take it love is in the air for the two of you,'' I joke, causing Adam to laugh.
''Possibly. We are doing well, yeah. It seems to actually be going somewhere this time''
''Well,'' I begin, ''I'm glad. You and Chandler both deserve to be treated right.''
Even if neither of you know it at the time.
''Thank you, Kurt. So, how are you and Blaine?''
We talk for the next hour, me about how well Blaine and I are doing with our careers, family, and marriage. Adam explains that the kids in his glee club did amazing, and are singing at a movie premiere in January, after getting high recommendations from Rachel.
''So, in short, everything is going well. I am glad to hear the same can be said for you,'' he admits.
''Thank you. I mean, don't get me wrong. It's not easy, it never has been, and it never will be. But we're doing it together, and it's worth it.''
It's so worth it.
''You are a lucky man,'' Adam sighs ,''You have a great career, a beautiful family, and a man who loves you like you deserve. I hope he knows that.''
''Adam, please.''
''Right. Crossing a line, sorry.''
''I like being your friend,'' I tell him, ''But we have got to be adults about this. Because I won't jeopardize my marriage because you do not know how to respect the boundaries that we so clearly set.''
Blaine and I have both had enough blows to our relationship. We're married now, and I have so much more to lose.
I'm not going to let it slip away.
''I understand. I'll… I can stop. I promise,'' Adam quickly amends.
''Thank you. I've got to go get the kids, but I will see you later.''
We say our goodbyes, and I head to pick up the kids. Jacob loved the dance class, and will be taking lessons, too. And Jade is definitely sure she will be sticking with her sewing class.
The three of them fall asleep on the ride home, and I don't have the heart to wake them, choosing to head home. We can order takeout tonight, and cook tomorrow.
Out of all of the things that I have been, a son, an actor, a boyfriend, a husband… I have to say that being a dad is definitely the most rewarding.
Soon, Rory will know this feeling. And if he loves those babies even half as much as I love him and my other kids, then they are in good hands.
Because this is one of the most incredible feelings that I have ever felt.
And I know that it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
BPOV-
''You're a natural,'' I tell Jake as he catches the football.
''Thanks,'' he grins ,''Dad didn't play with me much. He was always busy...''
I know the feeling.
''But he loved you. There's no such thing as perfect parent.''
I know that all too well.
''I know. Thanks for teaching me how to play, Blaine,'' he throws it back to me.
''No problem. It's a nice fall day, and we needed to get out of the house. What other sports do you like,'' I ask him.
''Let's see…,'' he catches it ,''Basketball, baseball, soccer… and I wanted to take boxing lessons, but mom wouldn't let me.''
''You know… I could teach you a bit,'' I tell him ,''I boxed at Dalton. Fight club.''
''So we can't talk about it,'' he smirks before tossing the ball back.
''Exactly. But, in all honesty, it helps. And, who knows? We keep practicing at this, and maybe you will make the junior varsity team next year at whatever school you'll be at.''
''Our aunt lives in California,'' he sighs.
''You're gonna be fine. You have a good personality, so people like to be around you.''
''I… I know that I have been kind of distant. But with everything going on, I just wanted to put Jacob and Jade first,'' he explains.
''I get that. And I know that you basically raised them, Jacob especially. But, Liam, you are just a kid yourself. We are here to help you. You don't have to do any of this alone,'' I remind him.
''Thank you,'' he nods ,''It… yeah, that means a lot.''
''No problem. It's getting dark, so we'd better head home,'' I pick up the ball, and we walk towards the car.
Kurt and I love these kids already. They're all different, but they fit right into our family. Before we received information that they'd manage to find their aunt, we'd even talked about adopting them.
Though, in the end, we are just glad to have them here with us now. They truly are amazing, and I didn't realize how much I like having kids around until Blair and Rory moved out.
And it's anything but easy, but it's worth it. The mornings are pretty hectic, trying to get four kids out of the door and to their separate destinations. And sometimes there are little quarrels over toys or the bathroom or desserts, but I wouldn't dare change any of it. And I know that Kurt would not, either.
Kurt, who I am one hundred percent sure I couldn't do this without. He has guided me through my darkest, most insecure hours, when I had know idea how we were going to make this work. He's my support system through everything, and he has been since the day that we met. He made me believe in myself the way that I made him believe in love.
And we're solid. He's the one thing I never have to worry about, even when I am filled with so much doubt.
After Jade, Liam, and Jacob live with their aunt, we will probably reopen the adoption discussion, since the young lady decided to keep her baby. Kurt and I will make it work out, like we have now.
''You okay,'' Kurt asks, crawling into bed.
It was his nce to get Jacob and Grace ready for bed, which took less time than it normally does. Jade and Liam helped me clean the kitchen before heading off to their own bedrooms.
''I love you.''
''I love you, too,'' he presses a sweet, slightly heated, kiss to my lips before snuggling closer to me ,''Good night.''
''Good night,'' I reach over to turn off the light.
''I'm lucky to have you,'' he yawns, promptly falling asleep.
No. You've got it backwards. I am the lucky one, to have you and a job that I love and kids that mean more to me than my own life.
There's so much that can go wrong. At least that's what my dad told me after an angry phone call last week. For now, Kurt and I will focus on what can go right.
Because we both know how quickly that can be turned around.
Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy