SORRY. This is later than anticipated. I was kind of hoping to wrap it up in one neat chapter but I ran out of time. It would have been out sooner but my daughter ended up in the hospital from an allergic reaction, multiple doctor visits, my wife's work schedule, planning a funeral that's in 15 days, house issues, blah blah blah.
This to say, this isn't perfect. Nor exactly what I wanted it to be, to be honest. I'm anxious to post because it's been so long and I'm worried that I'm in such a different place for 3 years ago that I just don't know where to start on things.
I hope it's an okay update. If it's awful I can scrap it and do it again.
After this part 1, I am going to do a second part which will be the end of Long Time Coming. I HOPE to have the third story prologue posted a few weeks after LTC ends… pending no more major medical dramas, big life changes, and all that jazz.
I do plan to go back and smooth this over when I have the mental capacity to do so. I just couldn't bring myself to push this back yet again. I love this story and verse so much, I think about it daily, and I want to do my ideas justice.
Sorry for any disappointments you may have but do know I realize this is not my best writing and after days of being upset about it, I just have to let it be as it is until I finish the next part and can go back to redo parts and make them better.
Also note, definitely not my own labor story. I was so out of it that I barely remember anything about my delivery besides my placenta being ripped out by hand via my OB despite having an epidural and puking.
"Are you sure you don't need anything? Tylenol? Anything?" Kurt, who was sitting next to Quinn in the same room they'd had all their recent baby visits in —the one 'with the technology' as Blaine called it.
"I'm just uncomfortable. Before the uncomfortable felt heavy but now it feels like they're going to fall out." Quinn winced a bit. "I'm fine."
Puck, who was on her other side, leaned over and told Kurt, "Tell her that is not fine, please."
"Uhm, it's not."
"Lucky her." Quinn grunted.
"Are you sure that you're, okay?" Kurt repeated.
"Kurt, they've been doing this for about a month. I think they don't have room and want out." Quinn let out a slow breath.
"You sound like you're in labor now." Puck deadpanned. "I was there last time. Remember?"
"It's different. Do you want to carry them for 36 weeks and see how you feel?" Quinn asked as David walked up.
"I had to try that thing that shows guys what the contractions feels like. Do not recommend." He said.
"I thought you weren't working tonight? Uh… this morning?" Blaine looked confused.
"Well, I live closer than Eric who is also on his way. Garrison is delivering via c-section right now or she would have been out already. Want a bed so you'll be more comfortable, Quinn?"
"I love you." Quinn told David and stood with Puck's help. "And, yes, please."
"This won't be your delivery room or anything. When the doctor can see you, we'll get you to OB. It's apparently been a… busy night?" David led them into a room that seemed distanced from the muffled chaos of the ER that they could kind of hear.
"Did they have to wake you up?" Quinn winced when David got her to the bed.
"No. Marcy did… telling me my pager was going off."
"How close is she to delivering?"
"We've got another two months... We're both eager for the break. Everything has been a little hectic." David admitted.
"I'm jealous of her… but also feel bad for her."
"No, don't be. She's an APRN so she delegates stuff to other people if she doesn't want to do it. She's been here since before I got my degree."
"I bet she's glad to be at home."
"Well, her sister is coming to watch our kids while we're here. The nurse who was going to be with you rage quit earlier today so Marcy offered. It gets her two extra days off to fold baby clothes." David laughed.
"This is great and all." Kurt interrupted. "But… are the twins okay?"
"They're both moving the way you'd expect. Do you think I'd chat if I thought something was wrong?" David asked and then yawned. "I technically can't get you into L&D yet or I'd have done an ultrasound."
Eric and Dr. Garrison came in together.
"I'm in a lot of pain and it feels like they're about to pop out… but I'm still only having Braxton Hicks contractions." Quinn said, not even waiting for the OB to ask what was going on. "I'm also starving but I didn't want to mess anything up if something is wrong."
"Are they still as active as they were yesterday?" Eric asked.
"Sometimes more, sometimes less. I think they're rivaling for more room or something."
"She is downplaying how much pain she's in." Puck cut in. "Also, as of six hours ago she's carrying lower."
Quinn gave Puck a look.
"Okay. We knew this was coming soon." Dr. Garrison said and took a deep breath. "What nurse do we have here? I was hoping this would happen tomorrow afternoon at the earliest."
"Marcy will be here covering for Sandy. She'll be here soon because Sandy rage quit."
Eric's eyes lit up. "She did?"
"Be professional even if you know them outside of work." Dr. Garrison said and then added a bit quieter, "We're all relieved but we don't have to voice it."
"Uhm…" Blaine cut in, as politely as he could. "Is there a… plan? Because if they could be coming soon… we'd like to know?"
"Alright. If all of you men want to clear the room, I'm going to check her cervix… the ones who don't work here, that is." Dr. Garrison said.
Kurt and Blaine hopped up, following Puck out.
"How much pain is she in?" Kurt asked.
"It's been getting steadily worse since yesterday morning. I know she should be uncomfortable but… I really hope it's tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest because this is hard to watch." Puck sighed.
"I feel bad." Blaine said softly.
"It's going to hurt anyway, bro. It'd just be nice if it would hurry for her so she could get some real rest. She's so big that she hasn't gotten much sleep these last six weeks either."
"That… makes me feel worse."
Kurt squeezed his hand.
They all three jumped when they heard Marcy squeal, "You two are going to be daddies soon!"
"Wait. Who said that?" Kurt asked
"The fact that I got called in. I used to do this before I became an ARPN. If they call you in on a high-risk delivery just in case… even if I were to get sent home, they'd probably call me back within an hour." Marcy grinned.
"Can you check and see what they're saying?" Puck asked. "Also, hi. I'm Puck."
"Noah." Kurt supplied.
"Nice to meet you but I think we met at their wedding. Either way, I'm sure I'll see you three in there soon." Marcy smiled, ruffled Kurt's already messy hair, and went behind the swinging doors.
"Marcy's here. They wouldn't call in a seven-month pregnant woman in for nothing." Blaine whispered. "Should I go and tell Bob I'm not going to be in tomorrow? It's too late to call, right?"
"I think he'd be pissed if this was it and you didn't call him." Kurt pointed out. "Plus, it's only 10:00 at night. Doesn't he usually stay up until 11:00 on Thursdays? For that one show Sarah makes him watch?"
"You're right. I'll be right back." Blaine slipped away, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He went to step outside knowing the service would be better than if he'd just moved to an empty hallway. He had to hold back a laugh since Bob literally yawned in the middle of answering the phone.
"It's not funny." Bob said. "Also, you were late again this morning and I got the bias talk again so I'm going to need you to not have a life, okay?"
"Wait. How did she know I was ten minutes late? Also, it should have been excused since I left a note on her desk."
Bob scoffed. "You literally left a note on her desk? Don't give her that satisfaction."
"I did it because you're kind of slammed right now and I hoped she wouldn't harass you."
"God, the harassment will never end. If I die first, Sarah will probably put me in the plot next to her. She would think it was funny." Bob groaned again. He then instantly seemed to realize how late it was and what that could mean. "Wait. Why are you calling this late? Is everything— Wait. Is she in labor?"
"They haven't come out and said it but Kurt and I were asked to leave the room so they could check her cervix to see how dilated she is so… it sounds like it. Probably yes. Yes. Probably." Blaine rambled.
There was rustling and then Sarah said, "How many people are in the room with her? And how many actual doctors? Like white coats or scrubs with the MD lanyard thing?"
"Uhm… OB, Eric, and David?" Blaine said.
"How long have they been in the room without you all?" she asked.
"Ten minutes?"
"Yeah, the boys will be out within 12 hours. If she wasn't dilating already they would have told her to go home and rest. She's either further along than she expected or they're discussing whether to induce or ride it out… and, I mean, she should get that induction." Sarah said. "I've had an induction. Trust me."
"Liz had one with the twins too. Although I think she tore so much she'd wished she'd gotten a c-section." Bob yawned in the background.
"Robert, oh my God." Sarah sighed. "Don't listen to him, Blaine. Garrison is great, Eric is great, David is great, the other two higher up pediatricians and really good. I'm a bit biased but it really is the best hospital in the state for this."
"There's also… tomorrow's adoption." Blaine bit his lip. "I was really hoping it would be legal before they were born so they could be born… into the family. Does that sound… stupid?"
"Of course not!" Sarah exclaimed. "But it's just a paper, you know? They can backdate it."
"They had to backdate our marriage certificate." Bob said in the background. "So, we technically have two wedding anniversaries."
"You just use it as an excuse for the extra dessert, Robbie."
Blaine had to bite back a laugh thinking about how perfectly unperfect they were together.
"In all seriousness, Blaine, I've gotta be upfront. Most of this stuff that's mostly paperwork gets backdated anyway. It sits at a desk or a box for ages before it's gotten to. It's quick to do the thing with Hardigree and sign the papers. That date is still going to be there… but don't expect to see updated birth certificates or anything before the twins are trying to crawl. We're also doing this very close to holidays and you know how court is in winter and summer."
"Yeah… I didn't think about that." Blaine looked thoughtful although they couldn't see it through the phone. That did make him feel better knowing that it was going to be backdated anyway.
"So, it sounds like those boys are going to be here tomorrow morning or early afternoon unless Quinn's body is more ready than they think." Sarah said.
"I'll get in contact with Hardigree tonight, okay, Blaine? She usually stays up late. I don't want you to have to miss a birth."
"Anytime because I don't think we're getting sleep for at least three years." Blaine half joked. "I'll keep my phone on vibrate."
"I'll text you when Hardigree and I get something figured out, alright?"
"Okay. Thanks… always."
"It's what we're here for!" Sarah said in the background.
"Bye, Blaine." Bob said before hanging up.
Hey, the doctor is on her way if you're off the phone.
Blaine saw Kurt's text and quickly went in the direction of their room.
…
"The main goal here is to keep Quinn comfortable and the twins safe." Dr. Garrison said two hours later, once they were all finally set up in the delivery room after some admit problems. "Could we leave them in a few more days? As far as their health goes, yes. We could. But Quinn's uncomfortable and she's already reached a 3. Two days ago she was a 1. Some women can stay at 3 for hours and others for days. As her OB, I think an induction would be best so that I and they—" she gestured at Eric and David. "So we can keep on eye on the boys with the induction—especially our littlest one—and make sure labor doesn't get too intense for him."
"What exactly does an induction mean?" Kurt asked slowly. "Or entail, I guess?
"It basically speeds up the labor process with medication." Eric said. "She'll give Quinn Cervidil to induce delivery which means her contractions will become more frequent and more intense because it's speeding up dilation. After that she'll get Pitocin which makes it quite a bit more intense. At that point most people want an Epidural and can get rest before it's time to push. If you want to go natural it's quite a bit harder for a lot of women because they'll be extra exhausted from the contractions and the transitioning into active labor."
Quinn looked between Kurt and Blaine.
"That's your body." Kurt said. "It's up to you. We can't make that decision for you."
"You can get an epidural any time." Marcy added. "Personally, I love them because I get to fall asleep and miss the more painful cramps… and then you'll get to meet these babies that you helped create. It's magical. I was an OB nurse before I realized I'd get paid more as an APRN."
"It's late." David added. "The sleep could make a big difference but I've seen people deliver twins without it."
"What if Zach isn't doing okay?" Quinn asked, wincing a bit and putting her hand over her stomach where one of the babies had clearly kicked her.
"Then we fix it but I think he'll be okay. He's gained a pound since the last time I saw him." Eric said.
"Can't Epidurals slow labor?" Kurt asked.
"They can." Dr. Garrison said. "But she's already at a 3. I think that Nick and Zach are trying to kickstart it for us. Our big question is comfort level of a natural labor or a medicated labor… and there's no wrong choice. It's whatever you three—or four—think is best."
Quinn nodded and winced again.
Kurt watched the machine, seeing the line moving with her contraction. "Where is your pain level right now?"
"Six?" Quinn looked unsure.
"I can't sit here and want you to do this unmedicated for however many more hours if that's not what you want." Blaine, who was standing with his arms crossed in front of him, said. "You're clearly in a lot of pain and if any part of you wants the epidural, then you should to do it. This is making me want to cry. I don't know how you aren't since you're the one that's feeling it."
Kurt made eye contact with Puck who looked relieved.
"But if it slows labor…?" Quinn asked, looking between Marcy and Dr. Garrison.
"There are always ebbs and flows in labor. If it slows stuff down a bit it just gives your body a little extra rest. You're exhausted. You look like you need the rest." Dr. Garrison said.
"It'll be okay." Marcy said. "You'll be able to get rest—get actual sleep for the first time in months— and you'll probably wake up to push…. And if you don't sleep straight through it, you'll still have gotten enough rest to make it seem like less torture than we all know labor is."
"I'll get it." Quinn said told Dr. Garrison after getting reassuring nods from Kurt and Blaine.
"Alright. There probably isn't anyone ahead of you so I'm going to go and find our anesthesiologist." Dr. Garrison left.
"The epidural is for the pain… but if she's only at a 3…?" Puck looked confused.
"People request them at all stages. When I did this before I'd see people come in for inductions and want it ASAP." Marcy said. "I don't know how anyone can do this without some sort of drug. Seriously."
"Can I eat?" Quinn asked.
"Unless there's a medically relevant issue, you'll get to eat. Garrison is good about that but you'll get extra monitoring… which you're already getting since I'm stuck to your side already. I'd be smart about what you pick though because it's going to, you know…"
"Come out with the baby?" Puck asked crassly.
Kurt cringed—something he hadn't thought of… but was so obvious now that he did think about it.
"Yeah, that and eating something not great and getting a stomachache on top of labor pains sucks." Marcy nodded, not even seeming bothered by how Puck had worded it. "Are you two married?"
"There's a timeline." Quinn and Puck said together, Quinn sounding more annoyed than Puck.
Kurt's eyes lit up and he looked between them.
"We had a plan-ish too until Kurt went rogue." Blaine said
"Blaine, sometimes you need a push or two." Marcy laughed.
"I'm getting better at it." Blaine hesitated. "I think?"
"Yes." Kurt and David said at the same time.
Blaine looked pleased.
"What did Bob say on the phone about the adoption?" Kurt asked.
"That Hardigree loves him and owes him a lot of favors… and that she could most likely do it here. I mean, not in labor and delivery. Hopefully before everything happens." Blaine said. "I kind of feel bad but I really wanted it to be legally official before they're here… Apparently it would be backdated anyway, though… but hopefully it can still be in the morning before they come."
"That's good!" David said. "I'd stay to watch but I'll either be monitoring Zach or, best case scenario for all, he won't need that much extra monitoring and I can go home and sleep for my actual shift tomorrow morning… as in 22 hours from now."
"And I get an extra two days off because I'm legally on a reduced schedule and this will take most of those hours because they need me upstairs Friday." Marcy grinned.
"Keep bragging." Eric, who had been watching the fetal monitors, sighed.
"Sucks to make the big bucks, doesn't it?"
Eric gave her a sarcastic smile and jokingly sang, "Sucks that when you're back from maternity leave, I'll still be your boss."
Marcy's smile turned sweet.
"They always do this." David told Quinn, Puck, Kurt and Blaine. "If Eric wasn't gay and married I would probably be worried."
"Give me the ring and you'll worry less." Marcy said and then cleared her throat and said, "Excuse me. That came out of nowhere."
"Don't you all have three kids?" Puck asked.
"Something like that." Marcy nodded, paying attention to the baby monitors again. "Still doing good, Quinn?"
"Yeah. How long does it usually take to actually get an epidural?" She asked as they could see the monitor showing a contraction starting up.
"It shouldn't be too long. They may be having trouble placing one they're currently working on or something." David reassured her. "Usually, they'd be in about now. Sorry."
Eric's pager went off multiple times in a row. He looked at it and said to Marcy, "ER. Page me if you need me. David and I can swap out if we need to."
"Oh great." David sighed.
"You're on the clock, bud." Eric said before leaving.
"Eric won't miss it will he?" Kurt asked, worried, as Garrison and another woman came in.
"No way. This is what he's technically here for. David too. Both will not get pulled from anything for this once it really starts. The ER just knows they're in so if something goes wrong, they go help or take over until it's worked out." Marcy reassured them.
"Please don't leave." Quinn, who had been quiet, looked at Marcy.
"I'm all yours. By the time this is over, you may wish I knew you a little less and no hard feelings if you do."
"She's not going anywhere you don't go." David reassured Quinn.
"No offense." Quinn added to Puck, Kurt, and Blaine. "But you three have no idea how to help me."
"It's so awesome that you did this for them and that you'll be doing it again." Marcy said. "Are you all going to tell them who the bio mom is?"
"No." Quinn shook her head. "I asked them not too. Maybe way down the road but Puck and I want a baby or two and it seems like that would be confusing for everyone. They have more of my eggs frozen so besides the procedures and me carrying, they won't need me much."
"That's still so great." Marcy repeated.
Quinn winced as Dr. Garrison came back in with an older woman.
"Yeah, you look like you're ready." The woman laughed.
"Okay, you two should go ahead and take a walk or something. It may be less stressful for her that way. Noah is her birth partner so he'll be with her still. Is that okay?" Marcy said to Kurt and Blaine as the new woman washed her hands to set some stuff out.
Kurt and Blaine both nodded, looking at David.
"I'm going out too." David added, leading them out.
Just as the door closed they heard Dr. Garrison said, "Well. Her water just broke so this could speed stuff up a bit."
"Should I feel this bad?" Blaine asked David.
"No. She's about to feel a lot better soon. Don't beat yourself up… Plus, you all are paying her a lot more than most gay couples would be."
"How long does this take?" Kurt asked. "I need to call my dad. I tried to text but he's useless with a phone unless he's looking at sports footage."
"Ten to twenty minutes depending on how squirmy Quinn gets. I'm sure you've got time to at least make a quick one. She'll probably conk out after too if you'd rather wait and get a real conversation in." David shrugged. "We should literally have hours to go. I think she was at 4. Once she hits 5 and 6, that's when you want to be close by. Labor is a lot of hurry up and wait. If she wasn't in as much pain, they probably would have let her ride it out at home. That's going off Marcy's, though. I'm only there in high-risk deliveries."
"I think I will still go and call now just in case." Kurt said.
…
"Kurt, it's 1:00 in the morning. Why are you calling so early?"
Kurt, who was outside of the hospital sitting on a bench, switched this phone to his other ear and said, "Quinn's in labor."
"WHAT?!"
"She was in a lot of pain so we came to get her checked. It's, uhm… getting real. She was far enough along that they went ahead and admitted her. They gave her drugs to start an induction and it's progressed to where they're doing an epidural already." Kurt said quickly just to get it out.
Was this even real?
"Are you joking? It's not April Fool's right?"
"Considering I'm outside the hospital watching ambulances come in and out, no. I'm not joking. It sounds like there's a lot of pressure down, uhm, there… and she's apparently been in a lot of pain but it's been building up over a few days. I'm… kind of freaking out."
"Well yeah you are. Yesterday you had freedom and now you'll never know that feeling again." Burt laughed. "Oh, wow. But they were doing this soon anyway, right?"
"Yeah, they had been talking about scheduling it." Kurt nodded even though Burt couldn't see anyway. "They were trying to find a good date for all the medical staff to be lined up but… Nick and Zach clearly have other plans… which makes sense because they are biologically Blaine's."
Burt laughed loudly again. "You two are already figuring out you're on their timeline now and they aren't even here yet. You'll get used to it."
"It's hard to see Quinn in so much pain." Kurt said. "Part of me feels awful… and helpless."
"Yeah. I get that, kid, but you two are the ones taking two babies home at once. Her pain will go away before you two will get more than five hours of sleep at night."
As if on cue, Kurt yawned.
"So. This morning?"
"Uhm, it sounds like some women can go into labor earlier than others. When Quinn had Beth it went quick, though. She didn't even know she was in labor until her water broke."
"So should we come down to the hospital now?"
"No. I think it may be a while. It sounds like she's going to get some rest which will hopefully help with labor. They haven't given an estimate because it's so early."
"You two don't want to just go home?" Burt asked.
"No." Kurt said firmly. "Blaine and I aren't leaving this hospital until it's with the twins. We need to be here and be involved as much as we can to support her."
"Good, kid. That's really good." Burt yawned.
"Yeah, I just hope she doesn't think it's annoying." Kurt paused, laughed, and then said, "I guess I'll let you get some more sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning once you remember this conversation since you're half asleep."
"That'd be a good idea. I love you, Kurt. Good luck."
"I love you too. Thanks, Dad." Kurt hung up and went to find Blaine who was sitting in the hallway and looking just as tired and excited as Kurt felt.
"He excited?"
"I'm sure he is but he still just seems tired from the chemo and stuff so it's hard to tell."
"It is 1 in the morning."
"I probably should have called him when you called Bob but I was half afraid he'd drive straight here and set up camp in the waiting room." Kurt admitted, laughing a bit.
"I can see that happening. I just remember when Charlie's daughter was born that Bob didn't go in until really late in the day and it was only to find papers for… something." Blaine yawned. "I think he even did a half day the next day."
"I didn't know he even used any paid time." Kurt laughed.
"It sounds like he saves it up forever and takes off three months straight every five or seven years?" Blaine shrugged.
"Should we… go back in the room?"
"She's trying to go to sleep. That's why I just sat out here. I was afraid to wake her up going back in. Puck said five minutes after the epidural kicked in she got really tired."
"Should we… just stay in the waiting room for now then?"
"I guess. At least for an hour to make sure she's properly out."
Puck came out into the waiting room grinning at them.
"Is she okay?"
"Fell straight to sleep. I got bored and figured you two might want some company for a few minutes." He said. "This time tomorrow the twins will be here. It's crazy feeling them kick through the belly and now everyone will be able to see them." Puck said.
"Yeah." Kurt gave a sleepy grin.
"I always knew you two were endgame by the way. Even during the breakup Finn was like 'Naw, it's done,' I was right."
"I think we needed the time apart." Kurt said. "To really show us that it was right and that we were really ready to move forward… and it does seem like a lot of things have fallen into place since then."
Blaine nodded. "I agree… but no one agrees more than Burt."
Kurt and Puck both laughed loudly.
Puck grinned and stood. "I'll see you two whenever you come back in the room."
"See ya." Blaine said, scooting closer to Kurt. "Think we're going to get any sleep tonight?"
"No." Kurt shook his head and then rested his on Blaine's shoulder. "Did you call Alex?"
"No. I'll call him after they're born. I just…" Blaine trailed off. "Not that I think he'd tell anyone but I'd rather have just really close people know now. I guess I'm kind of scared of my 'family' finding out and…"
"Your family would be very, very stupid to pull anything."
"They haven't cared about stupid before. The only thing making me feel better is that hopefully my mom won't want to waste energy to even find out." Blaine scrunched his nose up. "Do you think we should go back in the room now?"
"Yeah." Kurt said, giving him an anxious smile.
October 23rd, 2020
6 AM
Hey, I know it's early but call or text me if you can.
Preferably call.
Blaine, who had just woken up from something that wasn't quite sleep but also wasn't quite a nap either, yawned and reread the text.
Because Bob was not a texter.
He saw Kurt still asleep in the oversized chair he was in and slipped out of the room.
"They up?" Marcy asked. "I literally just left the room. Did I wake you up?"
"No. Bob texted me." He yawned again. "Everyone else is asleep."
"Okay, good!" Marcy grinned. "The lounge in there is empty if you don't want to go outside. It's still chilly."
"Thanks." Blaine went into the lounge and called Bob.
"Hey, you busy?" Bob asked.
"No. Everyone is still sleeping."
"Well it has to be 8 in the morning or 3:30. She said we can literally do it in and out. If you want, when you're ready when stuff with the twins settles down, she'll even do what she'd usually do in the courtroom. Jake can be witness when we do the ceremony. That's only if you want that too, though. We can also wait. I'm fine either way."
"So, in two hours we'll just sign the papers but we could do a real thing after if I want? But it's backdated so technically… it will be official?"
"Yep. Up to you but with her being induced, I'd opt for the morning option. You won't want to be bothered with that once you've got those babies. Trust me."
"Yeah, that's good."
"You doing okay?"
"Uhm. Maybe. I feel like my life is in complete limbo right now. Quinn's asleep but that graph thing is moving quite a bit which is…"
"Yeah, that can be daunting. The quick countdown to a chaotic life change. Been there, done that. It's stressful but the best stressful you can imagine." Bob said. "Okay, so. I'll get with Hardigree. We'll see you around 8:00?"
"Yeah!" Blaine said over enthusiastically. "That wasn't meant to be…"
"I've been here five times. You're sitting or sleeping in hospital chairs. I get it. Go on." Bob laughed. "You've got this. See you soon!"
"See you soon." Blaine hung up and was surprised when Kurt slipped into the room. "Hey."
"I don't know how she's sleeping with how that machine is going up and down." He yawned, sitting at the table.
"I know." Blaine's eyes widened. He then added, "I left the room because Bob texted me."
"I didn't know Bob texts." Kurt looked shocked. "He hates phones."
"He didn't want to wake anyone up."
"He must like you a lot." Kurt joked and let out a deep breath. "This is the most intense I've ever felt. I thought the wedding was but this is just…"
"Out of this world." Blaine finished.
Kurt nodded. "Do you think we're actually ready for this?"
"I think at this point we don't have a choice." Blaine laughed. "But, I mean… Wes has done this and, believe me, I never thought he'd settle down let alone be planning a wedding and having a family. So I think we'll be okay."
"You told Wes, right?" Kurt gasped.
"Yeah. AJ's making us freezer meals right now." Blaine said, sticking his lip out in a pout. "She's too sweet. I also texted Adrian and Matt although it's possible AJ beat me to that one."
"I am so glad that Dad and Carole are staying here for 3 months." Kurt let out a relieved sigh. "And that Bob and Sarah are down the street. Taking off an extra month without you seems so…"
"Daunting?"
Kurt nodded and rested his head on Blaine's shoulder.
"We've gotten through so many things. We've got this!" Blaine sounded much surer than he felt.
"I hope you believe that because it wasn't too convincing." Kurt laughed a bit.
"I didn't convince myself either."
…
"It's 8. We're here on time and they're late."
Blaine, who was waiting in the specified room that Bob had said they'd meet at, smiled at Sarah as she came into the room. He then said, "He usually gets to the office later than he used to, so I'm not surprised."
"Yeah. When he's stressed he's either really early or really late. He's got a lot going on."
"He's not stressed out about this is h—?" Blaine asked.
"No." She interrupted.
Blaine tried not to smile but couldn't help it.
"It's the same for all of us." Sarah reassured him, sitting in one of the chairs next to him and patting his leg. "Everyone is sad they can't be here for it… especially Sammy for some reason. Robbie said he was probably wanting an excuse to not go back to school."
"I can see that."
"Yeah, me too. He's dead-on Robbie at this age. It's unsettling almost."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Brady takes after him a lot too." Sarah nodded.
Blaine nodded.
"Everyone working in the hospital freaking out because celebrities are here." She laughed and patted his leg. "They also didn't believe me when I told them I know you which is hilarious."
"Really?"
"Yeah." She nodded.
"I'm… uhm… are you all sure about this? And him? Is it weird? I just don't want you all to do it because I was upset that day. I wasn't trying to manipulate anyone or anything. Sometimes I should probably keep things to myself but that day… I just… didn't…"
"Blaine." She interrupted him. "We are both sure."
Blaine nodded but didn't speak.
"In fact we had been talking about it yesterday making dinner… and after he got off the phone with Hardigree last night, he literally told me that this is one of the easiest decisions he's ever made." Sarah kept eye contact.
"Really?" Blaine asked, feeling better.
"We want this. You—you and Kurt— are family already." Sarah then laughed and said, "You know, his family actually took me and my younger brother in… for a long time. And after we got married and got a shitty apartment, my younger brother stayed with us for two more years until he was 18… and he stayed with us temporarily a few times in undergrad too. His family and our family are no strangers to strangers. By our family I mean yours too. By the way."
Blaine nodded. "I was a little anxious that he was going to back out… he's usually not late to meetings with me. Honestly even if we have the work one on one's in the meeting room, he leaves earlier even though we have the same walk… and could just do it in his office with the door closed."
"He's so weird." Sarah laughed.
"Stuff doesn't usually work out for me." Blaine admitted.
"You know, I think your luck has turned." Sarah smiled and then looked at her watch. "Charlie and I have a bet on why he's not at the hospital yet. I think he left his phone at the office. Charlie thinks he forgot to charge it and it died and he doesn't even know it's dead yet."
"Yeah? I think he probably left it at the office too because of—"
"His new bag." They finished together as Jake came in.
"You're here before him?" Sarah gasped. "What alternate dimension are we in?"
"I can't make this stuff up." Jake said, sounding thrilled. "But that intern fucked something up. Really bad. Like at the worst time. Two minutes before we were going to walk out the door. Somehow, she reset all his computer passwords and you know he always goes by the weird stuff the computer suggests… which Martin has told him not to do so many times."
"That poor intern." Sarah let out a loud laugh. "The first girl since that creepy one broke into our house and got Brady out of his crib. It's Robbie's fault, not hers."
"Wait. That intern taking Brady out of his crib wasn't a joke?" Blaine asked.
"No that was not a joke." Sarah shook her head. "It's true and he swore no more girl interns. Girls always mess stuff up… He's always jinxes himself."
"But… is he coming?" Blaine asked as Judge Hardigree walked in.
"Why is it always time sensitive things that he's late to?" She asked Sarah. "Any other time he's half an hour early."
"I… don't know. I think he gets anxious he'll be late to something and tricks himself into causing issues." Sarah shook her head, still laughing. "He did that in undergrad, and law school all three times."
"It's not funny." Bob said walking in and sitting on Blaine's other side.
"Sorry. It is." Jake grinned.
"So how far is she? Where is she at? Do we have time?" Hardigree asked, opening her briefcase.
"Six centimeters and they've officially cut her off of solids." Blaine said.
Sarah cringed. "That's when it sucks. You're the hungriest you've ever been, doing the most exhausting thing you'll ever do, and they take away your food. Give you sips of water. Ugh."
"On the bright side, Marcy had Puck bring her in some Panera earlier this morning. She scarfed it down. I guess the OB was okay with it but not anymore?"
"Probably incase of an emergency c-section?"
"I really don't want to keep Blaine too long." Judge Hardigree interrupted, pulling out a sheet. "I don't usually do this so bear with me here. I also wouldn't have done this for anyone but Robert. I also thought I had until this evening until midnight to make sure I had everything lined up."
Bob waited about thirty seconds and pointed directly to the paragraph she was looking for which made Jake laugh. Sarah laughed too when Bob just gave a sarcastic smile.
"I don't know how you still live with him." She said to Sarah.
"Clearly it's his pleasant disposition."
"Okay, Blaine, with a birth certificate change you do realize you're responsible to make sure your legal documents will not be negatively affected? Your last name isn't changing so it's probably a non-issue. It's also advisable to purchase a few of the new copies for legal documents like wills and trusts. Sarah is adopting you too so we obviously do not need her consent for Robert to do this."
Bob scrunched his nose up when she said his full first name.
Blaine nodded, his heart beating quickly. He wasn't sure if it was excitement, nerves, or what.
"You three sign all three of these with date and include your middle initial."
"Middle initial isn't legally required." Bob said, signing the three sheets first and passing them down to Blaine.
Blaine looked between them, confused that Bob was sassing a judge.
"He was my intern for 3 and a half years. The half because he decided with one semester to go that he didn't want to be a lawyer anymore." Hardigree laughed.
"Oh God." Sarah groaned. "I'm still annoyed at you for that."
"Wait. You… were her intern?" Blaine asked.
"How else do you think I'm constantly pushing favors from her?" Bob laughed. "That and she owes me."
"Wait. What?" Blaine asked.
"I think we should talk about that later when you're sure your child isn't being born." Judge Hardigree said.
"Two." Sarah said. "It's twins."
"Oh good Lord. I'm so sorry." She laughed. "That's rough. Good luck."
Blaine signed his name on the three sheets and passed them to Sarah.
Sarah's pager started going off right when she started signing and she sighed a bit before passing them to Jake for witness signatures.
"Just to confirm, Blaine, the date on here is October 23rd, 2020. When you all get the updated birth certificates, it should reflect that. If not, because sometimes people don't pay attention, then we will have it corrected and properly backdated… again" Hardigree said. "As far as I'm concerned, your birth parents are no longer considered your legal or familial guardians and, therefore, any children you have will never have to know about the blatant trauma and abuse you went through… Your protection order will appluy to them as well which I hope makes you feel better… although your replacement choice with Robert over here may be a bit questionable."
"Excuse you. When Charlie was a two-week-old I redid your elderly mother's flooded floors." Bob scoffed.
"He was five days old." Sarah corrected. "And it took five days."
"I've also fixed four of your cars." Bob pointed out. "For free. All you had to pay for was parts."
Hardigree laughed and gathered her stuff. "Congratulations on the babies, Blaine, and the newly expanded family to the Colloways. Also, Blaine, if you want to do it the traditional way in the courthouse to have that moment, we can arrange that too… although I imagine you'll be too busy."
"Thank you." Blaine said as she left.
"Okay, I've gotta go and pick up my children." Jake said. "But are we adding them to the…"
"Yep. But not until the paperwork goes through and we know it's right. I've seen enough people get in yearlong disputes and I don't have time for that." Bob said.
"My pager is going off again." Sarah sighed and gave Blaine a huge hug. "We love you, you perfect human being you."
Bob gave her a weird look.
"It's early and I haven't had coffee yet. Just love me." She whined before kissing his cheek and leaving the room.
"Well? Feel better? Feel sad because it's in a… hospital break room? Is this an office? Surely not?"
"I feel like there's not enough space in here to breathe let alone work in."
"I hope it's not an office they tell people about loved ones dying. I mean… no computer. A box of tissues. Right above where the trash can is under the table."
"Also, what paperwork was Jake talking about?" Blaine asked.
"Updating the will."
"Wait. What?" Blaine sputtered. "I mean five years ago you were having trouble paying your dads bills."
"Oh, I've always had plenty in the bank. I just don't want to pay that fee to get money out unless it's for something really important like a car." Bob shrugged. "There isn't a fee to add beneficiaries."
"… I don't need money. Don't I have more money than you?" Blaine asked. "You shouldn't do that."
"Just because you found a net worth online when you stalked me in your third year at Harvard doesn't mean that number was accurate. That number was accurate about twelve years ago."
"Well… you still shouldn't do that." Blaine said. "You're crazy. I have more money than you."
"How sure are you about that, Blaine?" Bob tilted his head.
"But… when your dad was sick and you were paying the bills you—"
"Yeah. I used my monthly money from CMJ. I could have gotten into the big account but I like seeing the interest go up." Bob shrugged a shoulder, looking amused. "I'm a high-profile lawyer. You saw the cars in my garage after Brady totaled my car. Shit, they're still in the new garage. Did you think those came from credit cards?"
"I… guess I didn't really think about it that thoroughly." Blaine admitted. "So… how much do you have?"
"I haven't looked in five years." Bob shrugged.
You… have no idea how much is in your bank account?"
"No, not really. I'll look when Emily's old enough to not throw a fit when Sarah and I want to take a trip together."
"You still shouldn't add me, though."
"Sorry about your luck, kid, because now I'm your parent at home and your boss at the office." Bob led him out of the room and then looked him in the eyes. "All of this joking about money aside, I love you. You know that, right?"
"Yeah." Blaine started to tear up. "Thank you."
Bob ruffled his hair and said, "Don't thank me every time I say it."
"I love you too." Blaine responded and took a deep breath.
"It's over. It's all over. So no more worrying about your parents or your family, okay?" Bob shook his shoulder. "Because for all intents and purposes, you're ours… and I'm a hell of a lot meaner than that asshole when I'm mad… also I'd probably take a bullet or two for you if pressed."
Blaine stepped up, hugging him tightly.
Bob gave him a big squeeze and kissed the top of his head before making eye contact. "You've gotta get out of here since those babies will be here soon." Bob made eye contact.
"Yeah. I do." Blaine nodded. "I just wish this could have been different… you know? Not rushed."
"The families will do something." Bob promised. "For right now, though, you've gotta go. Good luck, Blaine."
…
"How's it going?" Blaine asked Kurt quietly, slipping into Quinn's room.
"They're probably moving us to the OR here soon. She's 7 centimeters now." Kurt whispered back as Blaine sat into the chair next to him. "You were gone about an hour. I think she fell asleep ten minutes after you left."
Blaine watched Marcy checking the monitors and writing something on a chart, using her stomach as a table. She noticed him watching and gave him a teasing annoyed look.
"Well?" Kurt whispered. "Is it done?"
"As done as it can be for now." Blaine whispered back.
"How do you feel?"
"Calm."
"Even with this beeping and madness?" Marcy looked surprised.
Blaine nodded. "How long do you think it'll be?"
"Uhm, it depends." She said. "Some women hit 6 and it happens in an hour. Some women stall a bit and it takes another three or four. As long as the boys are doing okay, Garrison and Eric should be okay to let it play out. It's best for everyone honestly. Going too quick could give Quinn a rough postpartum time… and it could stress out the babies."
"It's probably good, though, right?" Kurt asked. "To have a break?"
Marcy nodded and said, "Yeah. Time for proper stretching as she rests. She'll be a lot less likely to get bad tears. The rest will help with labor too. Pushing is exhausting if it lasts too long."
"I don't know how women do this." Blaine said.
"It's biological nature. The body is made for it." Marcy checked the monitor and pointed. "Every time you see this, you guys are just a little closer to holding those babies. Are you ready?"
"I thought we were until tonight." Kurt laughed.
"You all have plenty of support! We will answer the same questions over and over. It takes a village… or a job that has a daycare inside it."
"Kurt's staying home unpaid after paternity leave for a while." Blaine said.
"I said that twice. Two days past 12 weeks I practically threw Oliver and Mollie in the hospital daycare's doors." Marcy laughed. "This time I'm debating enrolling her starting at six weeks. David can drop her off. Oliver's going to catch a ride to kindergarten with my sister, Neither of them know my plan yet, though."
Kurt laughed quietly again.
"I'm kidding." She reassured them as David came in. "Still out. I'm going to give her another 20 minutes and check her. I haven't seen Garrison in a bit."
"Yeah, she's helping with another delivery." David said. "Eric's got the OR blocked off as of now so once you wake her up, we're all going to head down."
Kurt's eyes widened.
"I'm not saying they'll be born now." David laughed. "But I don't want Nick to turn sideways and they both get stuck."
"They're still in a good position." Marcy said.
"I can't believe this." Kurt said, not even aware he had said it out loud.
"Well, you'll believe it soon." David said as Quinn began to stir.
…
"How are we doing, Quinn?"
Everybody—literally everybody and their mothers apparently— was waiting in the huge OR room ready to go.
Kurt watched Quinn say something to Marcy as Eric made one of the two teams go further out to the left. The people that seemed like they were with David's team were hanging much closer to Quinn and seemed like they were actively preparing.
"Is Garrison on her way?" David asked, going to check Quinn's cervix again.
"I'm going to kick you if you do this again." Quinn whimpered.
"It's a good thing you're at ten, then." David said.
"You did it!" Marcy cheered.
"Why isn't the doctor here?" Quinn's eyes widened. She'd been so focused on the pain
"We don't need her yet. We got this." Marcy reassured her, waving Kurt and Blaine over closer. "She'll make it in time. She's on her way. But trust me, she's got time. Baby A is coming slow. Baby B is the one that'll come fast."
Quinn nodded and whimpered. "So, who is helping me then?"
"I'm helping, David's here if anything is needed, and by the time Baby A is ready to come out Garrison will be here to grab that baby." Marcy promised, also making eye contact with Kurt and Blaine who were also kind of freaking out.
If they thought last night waiting to be seen had been scary, this was nothing.
"We're all okay. I've done a lot of these. David's done a lot of these. Eric has done a lot of these. You've got the A team here, okay? Within the next, say, three hours you will have birthed two beautiful babies. Probably a lot sooner than that, though. Then you'll get to hand them off and not even have to do the hard work, right? That's the dream." Marcy continued, very upbeat. "Look. You can go on a vacation in six weeks and they'll be going on six weeks without sleep."
Quinn forced a laugh even though she was wincing.
"You two are about to be daddies so you get closer over here, okay?" Marcy waved them closer. "Now, Quinn, you remember how to push from before?"
"Yeah, I think so." Quinn nodded.
"So, let's have a practice one, okay?" Marcy asked, holding one of Quinn's legs. "Puck, you help me with the other leg. Kurt and Blaine, try not to pass out if you… you know, look down there too closely."
"Oh God." Kurt's eyes widened. "This is practice?"
"Practice for the next hour until baby Nick comes."
"And then she can rest?" Blaine asked.
"Until baby Zach comes knocking." Marcy said. "Average length between twins after a singleton is about 20 minutes."
Kurt's eyes widened. "What will we do with Nick when Zach is being delivered?"
"Oh, he'll be with David's team. They'll be checking him over." Marcy said. "Then as soon as contractions start again, Eric's team will come over here and we'll do the same thing again. Zach will probably be a breeze once he's Nick is out. He's smaller."
"Thank God." Quinn let out a sigh of relief as Doctor Garrison made it over to them.
"Let it be known that if any pictures come from these deliveries at all, I'll find out who did it and you won't work in healthcare again." Eric said loud enough that David's team could even her it despite it being a large space.
"What he said." Garrison agreed. "You could potentially lose your hospital privileges as well since you signed that privacy contract. Maybe even go to court."
Quinn let out a loud groan and the nurses and the NICU team got closer, but not close enough to impede the moment for Quinn, Puck, Kurt, or Blaine. Marcy was holding one of her legs and counting out loud for Quinn as she began pushing, barely making a noise.
"8… 9… 10." Garrison finished for Marcy.
"We're going to get a break here for three to four minutes until you feel the urge to push again." Kurt heard Marcy telling her. "So we're going to rest, drink a tiny bit of water, and then we're going to count down again."
Quinn nodded, breathing heavily and already looking tired.
"Three pushes per contraction. Easy, right?"
"No. Not easy at all." Quinn shook her head and then looked to Kurt and Blaine. "But maybe after Nick comes, right?"
"Yeah." Blaine spoke first—he and Kurt hadn't even really spoke since it had started.
Honestly, what would they even say? Or do? They were helpless to… well, help. They didn't want to take away from the moment, interrupt, anything.
"You two can come closer." Marcy said, scooting a little further down so Kurt and Blaine could fit and see better.
"Why did you quit doing this?" Kurt asked.
"Money." She laughed and then returned her attention to Quinn. "You're there, right? Deep breath and we'll count again. 1…2…3…"
Kurt watched Quinn who was now silent but still pushing just as intently as before.
"8…9… 10… Two down."
"Good job, Quinn." Garrison said. "This one is going quicker than your first, right?"
"I don't remember." Quinn accepted more water.
David stepped closer to Kurt and Blaine during the break and said, "When Nick is born, which one of you wants to cut the cord? Once we do that we'll go over with Marcy and Nick to get weight, do suction, and get him warm."
"You can first. I'll go over to the thing with him and we can alternate." Blaine told Kurt. "What happens when it's time for Zach…?"
"One of my two people will stay with Nick when Zach is born and he'll go into the bassinet right next to Nick. Eric's team will probably push that one over after we're done here to make room." David said.
"What if Zach…" Kurt asked.
"Then Eric will figure it out. There's a reason I'm with Nick and not Eric. Eric knows what he's doing more than me. So does Garrison." David said and nodded. "I think we'll be okay. His vitals seemed good when we brought him down. They've maintained since we got down here."
Blaine let out a sigh of relief.
"It's probably going to go quick from h—"
Quinn let out a guttural noise and they watched as a gooey alien-looking thing came out of her. She fell back against the pillows. Marcy immediately placed Nick on Quinn's chest and then grabbed a warm blanket to place over him.
"He's so cute." Quinn cried as David pulled a huge thing over with a scale, a bassinet of sorts, and a very bright light. She made sure to keep an arm on him since he was clearly pissed. "Oh my God. He's so perfect!"
"There's definitely Blaine in there." Marcy laughed. "But it looks like this one's mostly you, Quinn."
"That's probably good for his sake." Blaine sniffled as he and Kurt looked down at the baby with teary eyes. He may have been loud as he wailed, but he was still they cutest baby they'd ever seen.
"He's 7 pounds." Someone from David's team said, scribbling it down as another nurse clamped two ties over the umbilical cord.
"Who's cutting?" She asked.
"Me!" Kurt said excitedly. He then paused, "Will it hurt him?"
"Not at all." The woman smiled, handing him some thick looking scissors.
Kurt winced a bit as he cut the cord—first hoping it didn't still actually hurt Nick and then because it was thicker than he thought it would be.
"Everyone remember this is surrogacy so donor milk." Marcy called out as a reminder. She then handed the baby to Kurt and gave him a great big smile. "Here you go, daddy."
"Thank you so much." Blaine said, making eye contact with Quinn.
"I'm only saying any time because I know we're already slotted for one more in a year." Quinn laughed although she already looked exhausted.
Kurt met eyes with Blaine and then said to Marcy, "I want Blaine to hold him but I'm afraid to pass him over in case I drop him."
Blaine stared, teary eyed again, when Marcy took Nick from Kurt. "This is insane."
"More insane that there's another one coming very soon." Eric said as what seemed like most of David's team seemed to have left except for two.
"I've never held a newborn before. I don't even think I held Melody the day she was born… and Scarlett was a few days old." Blaine said as Marcy eased Nick into his arms.
"Well, there's a first time for everything." Marcy smiled and adjusted the blanket around Nick. "He's a little long so try to make sure the blanket covers his toes."
"Oh my God. He's so small. Everyone kept saying Zach is small but Nick is so small." Blaine's eyes were still teary.
"How are we feeling, Quinn?" Marcy asked. "Feeling any contractions yet?"
"No. Is that normal?" Quinn looked worried.
"Yes, that's normal."
"We're twelve minutes out so most likely it will be soon." Eric told her. "Second twins usually come hard and fast because the first twin already… er, paved the path? Usual time between is 17 minutes. Don't worry. We've still got the monitor on him and he's doing good."
Quinn suddenly cringed and took in a deep breath.
"Someone page Garrison. I don't know why she left." Eric sounded annoyed, grabbing a fresh gown.
Marcy made a face but didn't say anything.
"What's wrong?" Quinn asked.
"Nothing. Everything is great." Eric reassured her. "We've got this. Trust me. I've caught several babies that OB's have been too late to catch."
One of the nurses came over to Kurt and Blaine. He said, "Hi. If you two want, I can hold him while your other is born so you can both participate."
"It'll be a while before you get babysitting offers, Blaine." Eric joked. "You should take him up on it."
"Oh. Okay." Blaine reluctantly and very cautiously handed Nick over to the young nurse.
"You'll have him back soon. Don't worry." The guy said and moved out of the way so Kurt and Blaine could be with Quinn.
Dr. Garrison made it over and said, "I knew if I went to the restroom, it'd happen. Sorry, Quinn."
"It's okay." Quinn grunted.
Marcy got in position again, holding one of Quinn's legs. "This will be so much easier than Nick but don't judge him too much. They can't decide which one is closest to the opening."
Quinn actually laughed a bit before letting out a whimper.
"10… 9… 8…" Eric started counting, holding her other leg. "6… I mean, well 5 by now. This is why I have a nurse… 2…1…"
Kurt couldn't help but laugh despite how anxious he was.
"Want to see, Blaine?" Marcy asked.
"Uhm, no thank you." Blaine said very politely.
Dr. Garrison said, "Quinn, I bet we can do this with just three pushes, okay?"
"I bet you're right." Quinn whimpered, all but collapsing against her pillows after Eric got to the number one.
Marcy offered her some water and said gently, "Just let me know."
Quinn nodded as Puck whispered something in her ear.
Marcy gave Quinn some more water before watching the screen. "We're almost there, aren't we?"
Quinn pushed herself up a bit and began to push.
"10… 9… 8…" Marcy said, maintaining eye contact with Quinn. "7… 6… 5…"
There was a loud wail.
"I couldn't wait." Quinn said, half crying. "I'm sorry. I couldn't."
"It's okay." Garrison said as Eric quickly lay Zach on her and began checking him over as he continued his angry wailing. "Blaine, come over here and cut the cord."
Blaine quickly took the scissors. David showed him where to cut and he did, feeling like it was a dream.
"Is he okay?" Quinn asked.
"He's crying so he's probably good." Marcy explained, having to talk loud over Zach's crying. "You did so good! It does mean you'll have a tear but most people with twins get them."
"He's small but loud." Eric said loud enough that they could hear. "He seems fine. He'll catch up to Nick pretty quick."
Garrison carried Zach over to Kurt since Blaine had cut the cord. "I think you're going to really like Zach's hair."
"What?" Kurt looked confused.
She pulled the tiny hat back—there was very obviously tiny dark curls.
"Oh. My. God!" Kurt gasped. "Blaine."
"What?" Blaine, who was holding Nick now, looked up.
"He's got your eyes hair!"