KPOV-
It's the second full week in July by the time Liam confesses what is really going on to his therapist.
He did lose his parents. I know that you don't really get over it, even if you learn to accept it.
''It just… it all happened very, very fast. One minute, my parents are here. The next, they're gone. My sister and brother and I were suddenly orphans, then we were placed in the care of two people we don't even know.''
Blaine winces next to me, but doesn't say anything as Liam's therapist nods.
''Not that you two aren't great,'' he quickly amends, fixing his eyes on Blaine and me, ''Because you two take good care of us. It's just…. I have to think about Jacob and Jade.''
I give Blaine a confused look, and he mirrors me before Doctor Jones urges Liam to continue.
''Even when our birth parents were alive, I was with them more often. I took care of them while they worked, and that's how I started to fall behind in my studies. Now, I'm back where I'm supposed to be, and thanks to the summer school classes, about to graduate next June. It's my dream to go off to college, but… but Jade and Jacob need me. I can't leave them.''
Oh. That makes sense, really. They were still so dependent on him at the beginning, looking to him before they did anything. Even though Blaine and I made it clear that we care about them from the start, it is understandable that they were hesitant. Even Jacob and Jade seem to withdraw sometimes.
''Liam, you are our responsibility. So are your brother and sisters. The only person that you need to worry about now is you,'' I soothe.
That's too much responsibility for you right now.
''But-''
''Can I cut in for a minute,'' Blaine asks, continuing when Liam nods ,''Remember when you blatantly told us you weren't going to finish your dinner, and we told you you weren't grown? That applies now, Liam. Let us worry about you, and your brother and sister. We've got you guys.''
That's the one thing you don't have to worry about.
''See,'' I smile at him, ''you don't have to worry about any of that.''
''Actually,'' the doctor speaks, ''There's more to it than that. Liam?''
''It's just,'' Liam lets out a shaky breath, ''I'm so tired of all of the shit… I mean crap I get at schools. If I get anything below a C, my teacher says I'm not trying. I am trying. Science just isn't a strong suit for me. And Brandon and I… we get the worse looks. Because we're not in the popular crown, you know? Not everyone reacts negatively, but… the people that do.''
He shakes his head, closing his eyes, looking absolutely discouraged.
Blaine and I have both been there. And, while my dad tried very hard to understand, he couldn't really get it. Not the way that I do.
''You know, we've been through this before. You don't have to bottle all of this up inside, Liam,'' Blaine speaks, ''You can come talk to us whenever you want.''
Liam opens his mouth to speak, but quickly closes it again.
''If you don't feel comfortable talking to us, talk to Blair. She's bisexual, and she was bullied it for it, too.''
''And,'' I add on to what Blaine has said, ''If this continues, we will talk to your principal.''
I've been in his office I don't know how many times before. Enough is enough.
''Kurt is right. Liam, this is your senior year. You're going to enjoy it,'' Blaine grins.
A hell of a lot more than I enjoyed mine.
''I appreciate that, guys. Thanks,'' Liam looks down at where his hands are folded in his lap.
''It is up to you if you would like to continue these sessions,'' Dr. Jones says.
''What do you think, Liam,'' I look at my second oldest son, ''What would be more beneficial to you?''
''I… I think I'd like to keep coming.''
Blaine nods, ''Well, we have to respect what would be best for you.''
Besides, Liam does deserve to have someone that he can talk to that is completely unbiased. Blaine and I promised him we'd help him, that we'd be there for him, that we'd take care of him.
Even if we're doing it indirectly.
''You okay, buddy,'' Blaine asks, looking at Liam through the rearview mirror.
He nods, staring at out at the traffic.
Blaine gives me a look, and I know what it means: we'd better not push it. Not now, at least.
''We'll stop and get lunch,'' I clear my throat, ''Jade, Jacob and Grace will be home later. They're with Ryder and Blair.''
That may give you time to calm down, and time for Blaine and I to have a talk.
''Can we order a pizza,'' Liam speaks up, ''We haven't had that in a while.''
Blaine and I have been trying to make them eat healthier, but I suppose a little treat every now and again isn't bad.
''Okay,'' I agree, ignoring Blaine and Liam's shock, ''You can invite Brandon over if you want. It'd be nice to get to know him better.''
From what Liam tells me, his dad is way more supportive than his mom is right now. It would be nice for Brandon to have a bigger support system.
I had that when I was his age, and Blaine did as well. So, it's more of a personal issue for us.
''You alright,'' Blaine asks as we wait on the pizza, cleaning the kitchen as we do.
''Mhm,'' I hand him the stack of plates, ''Why do you ask?''
''Because you've been pretty quiet since we got here,'' he wraps an arm around me, ''Talk to me, Kurt.''
''I just… I want these kids to know that they can come to us. Why didn't Liam...''
''Well, I mean, did you go to your dad with everything,'' Blaine questions, continuing when I shake my head, ''Alright, see? Jade probably doesn't tell us everything, either. You know we had to force Rory and Blair to tell us what was going on with them. Give it time. He is still adjusting to realizing who he is, his new life… everything.''
There he goes again. Calming me down before I make this worse than it actually is.
''You're kind of amazing, Blaine. You know that?''
''Well, I have been told that, yes. I don't mind you repeating yourself every now and again, though,'' he presses a kiss to my cheek, just as my cellphone rings.
''Blaine,'' I turn to face him, ''It's Jesy. From the agency.''
Last month, we met with a potential surrogate. A young woman who has been a mother before, and was happy to talk to us.
''Go on, answer it. Go to the other room,'' Blaine urges, taking the dish towel from me, ''I've got this.''
''Right,'' I sigh, ''It's now or never.''
Hopefully this works out for us.
RyderPOV-
''The middle of September? That's… that's only nine weeks away. Just a little over two months. What's the difference between getting married then, and only a few weeks later,'' Blair asks, lying across the bed.
After a day of taking Jade, Jacob, Noah, and Grace to the beach, it's nice to just unwind as they watch television.
Well, the older kids, do. Noah is sitting on the bed with us, looking a at a picture book he obviously doesn't know how to read - it's interactive, and it keeps him quiet.
I lay down my camera- which has a picture of Blair holding Noah, him smiling at her like she's the most important to him as she stares at him adoringly.
I really am lucky.
''Because you're going to be in Los Angeles then,'' I lean against the headboard, ''Recording with Starchild Gilbert.''
He'd found some of the videos of songs- both of her own creation and covers she did a while ago- and wants to help her get her talent and voice out there.
''Then- Noah Lynn, take that book out of your mouth!- then we can always postpone,'' she sighs, rolling over to face me.
''Just here me out: I'd prefer to be married to you before you leave,'' I shrug, ''And I was hoping you'd feel the same.''
We've waited so long for this. It's not like we have a lot to plan. We can always do a reception when you come back, or not at all.
''Is it because you think I'm going to stray while I'm gone,'' she sits up, bringing her hand to my face, ''Look, I know i've kissed other people before. But I wouldn't even dream of doing that again, let alone sleeping with someone else.''
''Yeah. I know. I know I've threatened to sleep with other women before and that the temptation can be there for both of us. I just know we've fought to be together despite our own stupidity. I won't mess that up either. My main concern is that you may not be so sure,'' I reply honestly, ''I don't want you to change your mind.''
No one knows how ready I am for this.
''It's normal to get cold feet,'' she plays with her braid, taking Noah's book away and handing him his sippy cup, ''Honey, book has germs on it. Drink your juice. Now, Ryder, I'm sure I want to marry you. Yes, it is a life-long commitment. But we can just take it one day at a time.''
''I see what you're saying, Blair. I do, it's just..''
Are you really sure it's me that you want?
''You know I love you, right? I mean you really do make me very happy,'' she leans against me, ''I want this with you. So, if you think we can pull it off in nine weeks' time, then yes. I'll gladly marry you then.''
Thank you.
''You mean so much to me,'' I kiss her, ''We can do it. My boss even said he'd photograph it for a discount. And, just incase you said yes, I called Harmony. Her parents said September is their least busy month. If we hurry up, we can rent out the private room at their restaurant. My mom said she'd pay for that. It'd be nice, and cost less the ball room''
Or we could go to their diner instead, just you and me, like we did on our first real date. Wherever you want to go, we can go.
''That sounds nice. Something very intimate,'' she kisses me gently, ''And you won't even have to wear a tuxedo. Just a nice suit. You can even wear your converses if that helps you feel more comfortable. Because I'm not wearing heels.''
''Because you can dance in them, but can't walk in them,'' I laugh when she rolls her eyes, ''That's what you said.''
''You remember that,'' she grins,''Well… it looks like we are really doing this. Finally doing this.''
''Looks like it,'' I wrap my arms around her, ''No turning back?''
''Never. I'm in this for the long run,'' she laughs a little, and Noah looks at her with an identical grin, ''Are you happy for mommy and daddy, Noah? We're getting married!''
It's hard to believe that the giggling child in her arms was screaming a few hours ago, having a meltdown over the fact that he had to take a nap while his cousins played in the sand.
She laughs again, and I don't think I've seen her this happy since the day we brought Noah home, or the day her NYADA letter finally came in the mail. I want to see her like this for the rest of my life, taking these and the bad times and the fights and the makeups as they come.
Lucky for me, I finally will.
RoryPOV-
''Who was on the phone?,'' I ask Sugar, sitting on the floor with Wendy and Finn.
Sugar joins us, a huge smile on her face.
The first genuine one I've seen all day.
''That was the fashion magazine. Every season, they interview an up-and-coming fashion designers and stylist. They want to interview me!''
This couldn't have come at a better moment. Recently, she'd begun thinking that her success was only attached to dad's, and that she never would have made it on her own. He and I both know that's not true. Sugar is so, so talented.
''See? They recognize your talent.''
''They liked the outfits and designs I put together for Starchild's new tour, and the dresses I created for the maternity line,'' she explains, ''They even reassured me Kurt has nothing to do with this.''
Of course not. Anyone can see how talented you are.
I'm cut out of my thoughts by her tickling Finn, who giggles loudly as Wendy and I watch.
They may be twins, but, unlike some people think, they're so distinctly different.
Finn has come out of his shell more. He's so energetic, bouncing from one thing to the next, and louder than his sister.
Wendy prefers to sit and play with her toys if she's not with her brother. Dad and grandpa say she takes after me, and Finn after Sugar, but I don't know about that.
Sugar… she's so good with both of them. Especially on days when they're grumpy, and every moment is an opportunity for another temper tantrum. Like the one Finn had at the park. Because we wouldn't let him throw sand on his sister. Or the ones Wendy has every time we try to potty train them.
''Daddy,'' Wendy pats my knee, and I find her raising her arms for a hug.
''Come here, sweetie,'' I pull her close, stroking her hair back.
''You know,'' Sugar lays on her stomach, continuing to play with Finn and his toys, ''I have more good news.''
''Oh?''
''My mom agreed to help us out with the house. If you're still interested. I mean, the kids are getting older, and we will give them their own rooms soon. If we get a house, maybe an hour away, we can still go to school and have room for the kids, you, me, and for my at-home studio.''
Wow. I wasn't expecting that, honestly. We haven't had this conversation in a year. I was sure that it was case closed, but I guess not.
''Or,'' Sugar takes my silence as a sign of displeasure,'' We can just get a bigger apartment. But I think if we plan on expanding the family in a few years, a house is better.''
''Do we have to decide right now,'' I put the doll Wendy handed me in the truck she's playing with.
''Vrooom,'' she laughs, taking it over to her brother.
''We don't, no. But I thought I should put it out there,'' she shrugs, ''We can always talk about it later. You know, when the twins are asleep.''
''Right. We should focus are attention on them. Just to make sure nobody spills maple syrup on the other again,'' I refer to last week's incident, which ended with me mopping while Sugar struggled to wash our screaming's son sticky hair, and Wendy being put in a time out until she apologized as well as a two year old can.
I guess, compared to Noah drawing on his face, and Grace accidently flooding the toilet with toilet paper, we got off pretty easily.
''I wish they could say this little. it's tiring, but they're so innocent. They'll grow out of that one day,'' Sugar groans.
''We all do,'' I remind her, ''Which is why we enjoy these moments.''
Because they won't last forever.
''You're a good dad, you know that? Finn and Wendy are so very happy. And lucky.''
''You're a fantastic mom,'' I kiss her cheek, ignoring the 'eeeww' from our children, ''Thank you, Sugar. You do a lot.''
You're worth so much more than you previously thought you were, no matter what your dad or his girlfriend try to convince you.
We both have days like that, though. When our best doesn't feel good enough. Even though they're too young to really know what's going on, Finn and Wendy seem to make things better. They're so grateful for everything. It makes us feel like, yes, our good is perfect.
Right now, my kids' approval is all that matters to us.
BPOV-
''You're starting to freckle,'' I tell Jacob as he sits next to me on the couch, ''See? Kurt is, too.''
''Because somebody forgot to buy sunscreen, but we won't name names,'' he rolls his eyes as he brushes Grace's hair back into a ponytail, ''There. The two of you are in your pajamas, and ready for bed as soon as this family meeting is over. Liam, where's Jade?''
''She will not come out of the bathroom,'' he returns, lounging across the arm chair.
''I'll go get her. Sit in that chair correctly,'' I stand, walking the narrow hallway towards our bathroom.
The door is slightly ajar, and, through the mirror, I can see her examining herself.
''Jade,'' I knock on the door, ''Can I open this.''
''Mhm,'' she nods.
She's brushing freshly dyed hair, staring at her reflection with bright eyes.
''What's wrong, honey?''
''Nothing.''
That's exactly what Blair said. Then, she nearly destroyed her health because she didn't want to admit that she doesn't feel good about herself/
''Look, if you're insecure-''
''I'm not,'' Jade cuts me off as she pulls her hair away from her face, ''Not to be rude. I'm beautiful. At least, I have to believe that I am. If not, I just hate the way I look. Blair told me that when she's having bad days- which I don't get because she is freakin' gorgeous- she looks in the mirror at all of the things she likes.''
Wow. I never understood her insecurities, either. I guess it just took her a while to see. Blair really has come a long way in her recovery.
The fact that she is helping her little sister means so much to us, too.
''Well, you're both beautiful. I may be biased, though,'' I nod towards the door, ''Come on. It's time for a family meeting.''
''Okay,'' she lays her brush on the sink, waltzing over, ''Thank you, by the way.''
''For what,'' I question, leading her to the living room.
''My dad was never big on compliments. When you doubt yourself as often as I do, it's nice to have someone on your side. To remind you that you're okay.''
I know that feeling all too well. No one deserves that kind of treatment for no good reason. The self-hatred that comes along with it is torture enough, never mind the burning question of wondering what you did to the other person or people.
Thankfully, I have moved so far past that. Now, it is my job to keep my kids and students from winding up there.
''So what's this meeting about,''Liam asks as soon as we're all in the livingroom.
''Well, this is going to be a pretty big year for us. Grace is going to kindergarten, Jacob to first grade, Jade's a sophomore, and, Liam, it's your final year of high school.''
''And I will be the sophomore and junior English teachers this year, as well as being in charge of glee club,'' I grin just thinking about it
''As for me, I will have more responsibilities at the studio, getting ready for Fashion Week, and my the unveiling of my new infant line,'' Kurt continues.
''So, as you can see, we have a lot coming up. We're really going to have to pull together to make this work, guys.''
''We can do that,'' Jade speaks, and Grace nods from her seat in her lap.
''We have bad days, but we can make it work,'' Jacob speaks, wise for a seven-year-old, and Liam raises an eyebrow.
''Is there something more going on? Like, something you're not telling us,'' he treads lightly over the question, ''Are we in trouble?''
''...No. Kurt, maybe we should just tell them,'' I suggest.
''Right,'' my husband clears his throat, ''We found someone willing to be our surrogate.''
There's a delayed reaction- mostly because the younger kids are trying to process what that means- before Jade is actually squealing.
''You're having a baby?!''
''Soon?''
''Well, yes and no. We meet with her next week, and we go from then. It could take a while, though, before she's actually pregnant.''
Not that we mind. We're just so happy that Regina wants to do this for us.
''So we will have a little brother or sister,'' Jacob speaks.
''That's the plan,'' I nod, looking to Grace, ''What do you think, sweetie?''
''Is the baby staying in my room,'' she raises an eyebrow, looking just like her mom, ''He or she can. But I can't change diapers.''
''You can help with the baby in other ways,'' Kurt appeases her, ''We all will help. But, to answer your question, no. The baby will stay with us. We don't have room for a nursery right now.''
''It would make night time feedings and changings easier, too,'' I add on, ''Besides, our room is big enough for a crib.''
We'll make room, getting rid of what we don't need or want, for a changing table, and whatever else we need.
''So this family is going to get even bigger,'' Liam laughs, the first time all day, ''Seven kids.''
''Yup,'' I nod fondly, ''Seven kids.''
With beautiful, unique, personalities. Seven children we love more than anything else.
''We will have more and more discussions as things progress,'' Kurt continues, ''But, for now, it's off to bed. Come on. All of you.''
We ignore their groans, enforcing the bed time rules.
''Come on. The faster you go to sleep,the quicker it will be morning. And Uncle Cooper will be here.''
To spoil you all rotten, as usual.
Once all of the kids are in bed, I join Kurt in our own.
''What are you thinking about?''
''This time five years ago, we were getting ready to welcome Grace Elizabeth into the world,'' he looks over at the picture of her from her stay at the hospital, ''Now look at her. Running and jumping and so full of life.''
''I know,'' I kiss his shoulder, ''It's hard to believe. After Rory and Blair moved out, it seemed so… empty. Even with an energetic toddler. Then we adopted Liam, Jade, and Jacob. Now we have, hopefully, one more on the way.''
''And we are never getting any sleep ever, ever again,'' Kurt jokes, laughing along with me.
''It will be worth it, though. We both know that.''
He may have only had Rory living at home for eight years, and I may have watched Blair grow from a little baby into a loving young woman; we may have only adopted Jade, Liam and Jacob fairly recently in comparison, and we may have adopted Grace just so we knew she'd be taken care of. That doesn't mean we don't love them all the same exact way. All it means as that we are proud to be dads.
Now, we get to do it all over again.
''I can see a baby boy or girl with your eyes,'' he softly speaks, ''And your dark curls.''
''Or your eyes and chestnut hair,'' I counter, ''Either way, they're beautiful already.''
So, so beautiful, even before they are born.
''Hmm,'' Kurt closes his eyes, yawning a bit, ''I love you, Blaine.''
''I love you, too, Kurt. Now, get some sleep. We're picking Coop up from the train station rather early.''
Because he just couldn't get any other time.
Kurt's fast asleep in a matter of minutes, eyes closed and designs abandoned.
I scoop them up, placing them neatly on my bedside table, turning off the light, and crawling under the sheet with my husband, ready for a night of much needed sleep.
Because, if everything goes well, it will be one of the last full nights of sleep for a while.
The wedding is next chapter!
Disclaimer- glee belongs to Fox and Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, and Brad Falchuk