Kurt woke the next morning feeling that wonderful soreness that only comes from working muscles you have neglected for far too long. Their sexlife had been anything but lacking, but it had been entirely too long since they had the time or space to indulge in each other for hours on end, to be able to completely lose themselves in each other.
Kurt arched his back, meeting the sturdy body of his lover. He hummed as their skin brushed.
"Can we freeze time and stay here for a while?" Kurt asked as he felt kisses pepper down his neck.
"It would be nice, wouldn't it?" Blaine said and his hands began to explore. "If the world could just stop and we could be this carefree for a while."
Kurt smiled and rolled over facing his husband. "Don't get me wrong, I love our life; but sometimes I just want it to be you and me and nothing else. I don't want to miss anything though. Why can't we have both?"
Blaine kissed him softly, "We can, and we do. We just need to be better about keeping our room our haven."
"Until then, let's make the most of the time we have." Kurt proposed.
Blaine pulled Kurt closer, "Check out is at eleven,"
They barely made it out of the room before their check out time and Kurt couldn't help giggling as they left the front desk. "What do we do now?"
"Well we only have a little while before we have to be at the airport," Blaine began, "but there was something I wanted to show you."
"Do tell," Kurt said, intrigued.
Blaine smiled, "I wanted to show you yesterday but I didn't think you were up for it before dinner and well after-"
"After, I think we had other things on our minds," Kurt finished where Blaine trailed off.
Blaine led as they walked down the sidewalk. It was nice walking along the unfamiliar street, arm in arm with his husband. At that moment Kurt felt like he didn't have a care in the world. They soon made it to a small greenspace in front of a massive building. Kurt's eyes were drawn to a white marble statue in the middle. He was a little surprised when Blaine led him towards it. As they drew closer, Kurt gave a small gasp. There etched into stone was his mother. It was unmistakably her. The artist had captured The Angel perfectly down to the very last detail. It made Kurt's heart ache to realize just how much taller he was than her. The life sized statue barely reached his chin.
Without thinking Kurt reached his hand out wanting to touch her face, but stopped himself before he could make contact. His hand hung in the air as he sighed, "Blaine?"
"Did you see the inscription?" Blaine asked.
Kurt looked down at the plaque at her feet. #1 Hero in our hearts, always. He read the words out loud with awe in his voice.
"She made number one a month after she disappeared." A voice said behind them startling Kurt.
He turned to see an older woman standing there. "She did?" Kurt asked.
"Do you know much about the Angel of Chicago?" The woman inquired but continued before they could answer. "She was instrumental in bringing down a major crime ring not long before she disappeared, which along with her bolstered approval rating sent her from number 5 to number 1 in the charts. I really wish she could have been here to see it."
"You knew her?" Kurt gasped.
The woman smiled, "She was my very best friend. We opened this agency together."
She gestured to the building in front of them. It was only then that Kurt noticed the large sign. It read Halo with a brilliant white circle around it. At Kurt's dumbstruck look the woman's face fell and she began to scrutinize his face. "Wait- are you- Kurt?"
He looked at her in shock. "How did you -"
"Oh my god, you are Kurt." Her face blossomed into one of utter joy. "I can't believe you are really here."
"How did you know- about me?" Kurt stammered.
"The Hero Department contacted us and told us they discovered what had happened to Kathryn and Burt. They told us about you, but they wouldn't pass on any messages or tell us anything about you- they just said that their son Kurt had been found and told what had become of them. Were they really sent to a different world and lost their quirks?" Kurt wasn't sure what to make of this woman in front of him. She seemed so sincerely happy to see him, to meet him. She looked at him like he had all the answers she ever wanted.
Kurt nodded his head, "They did."
"I can't even imagine," the woman murmured looking up at the statue. "She worked so hard trying to become a hero, it was her biggest dream."
"Are you a hero too?" Kurt asked.
"Oh heavens no, I studied management, I am merely the brains that helps keep the agency running, Kathryn was our heart and soul. But where are my manners? My name is Bridget Denmark," She looked between the two men, "But please tell me you came here to work for me."
"Work for you?" Kurt asked as he watched her eye Blaine up and down. "I'm not even a hero."
Her focus found Kurt again, "Not a hero? Surely you inherited Kathryn's power."
"I work in support like my dad," he said proudly, "Costume design. I have a fabric manipulation quirk."
Ms. Denmark turned her gaze back to Blaine, "What about you? Are you a hero? You have the look, with those wings you would fit right in here."
Kurt watched as the color rose to Blaine's cheeks before he answered, "I am a hero, but Kurt and I are based in New York."
"New York?" she questioned. "And I couldn't persuade you to join us?"
"We both also teach at Dalton Academy," Kurt laughed.
Bridget's face lit up, "Dalton you say? My son was just accepted there for the hero course in the fall. Does that mean you will be teaching him?"
"No, my students will be sophomores next year. But both the teachers for his year are excellent." Blaine told her.
"Why didn't he apply to CRT?" Kurt asked.
She rolled her eyes fondly, "Oh you know how teenagers are. He is the youngest of 4, he wanted to pave his own way in life. Plus he didn't want favorable treatment because his moms run one of the biggest agencies in Chicago."
"Kurt?" Blaine said quietly looking at the time on his phone.
Bridget seemed to pick up on the apology in Blaine's voice, "What, is something wrong?"
Kurt felt so torn, he wanted to learn more from this woman, she was the only person in this world he had met who actually knew his parents, but he also knew they could not miss their flight. "We have to get to the airport. We are heading back to New York soon."
"Oh, but I have so much I want to talk to you about." Ms. Denmark protested.
"Please, I would love to talk to you more. Do you have a card? Could I call you?" Kurt said quickly.
She pulled out a small box and handed him a small white card. "You must come back and visit, I know the entire staff would love to meet you."
"You will be bringing your son to Dalton in the fall, right?" Blaine pointed out.
Kurt felt something like relief at that statement, "Yes, when you come to Dalton, please make time to have lunch with us. You can meet our daughter and we will have hours together."
Bridget's smile was so genuine when she said, "I would love that. Now let me get a picture of you boys with the statue. I know everyone will want to see how handsome you are."
Once she had snapped a couple of pictures with both Kurt's phone and her own, she pulled him into a tight, motherly hug. When she pulled back she patted his cheek and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I am so glad I got to meet you."
Kurt nodded, a lump in his throat.
When they arrived home, Kurt expected to be greeted by squeals of delight from their daughter and long heartfelt hugs. Instead the living room was empty and the house was quiet. Kurt began to worry before peals of girlish laughter joined by deeper chuckles wafted to them from the kitchen. Blaine put his arm around Kurt's waist and led him toward the sound.
The kitchen was a mess and the three occupants were not in much better shape. Something brown that looked suspiciously like chocolate ringed Elster's mouth that was still wide with unbridled giggles and also dotted her face and clothes. Cooper and Elliot seemed to have bathed themselves and the area around them with flour and looking at the counter, Kurt wondered if any egg actually made it into their concoction.
"And what do we have here?" Kurt asked, trying to contain his own laughter. He was tired and feeling a little emotional but the sight in front of him eased his heart.
Elliot looked shocked to see them, "You're home already?"
"Our plane was delayed, we are almost an hour later than we said we would be." Blaine pointed out.
"But the surprise-" Elster whispered loud enough that they had no problems hearing.
Blaine slapped his forehead, "In all the excitement I forgot to pick up dinner. Why don't I run down to the cafeteria and grab us something."
"And I should really run upstairs and change our sheets." Kurt said with a grin.
Elliot winked at Kurt, "Why don't I help Kurt while you two clean up this mess and take care of the rest."
Cooper gave Elliot a pointed look which he promptly ignored. They all left Cooper and Elster to the kitchen barely containing their laughter.
Once alone in the bedroom Kurt gave Elliot a questioning look, "Don't you feel even a little bad leaving the clean up to them?"
Elliot laughed, "Well, honestly Cooper made most of the mess, followed by Elster. He deserves it."
Elliot grabbed his overnight bag and pulled out a fresh change of clothes. He walked to the master bathroom and as he began changing he called to Kurt through the door, "So how was Chicago?"
"It was nice," Kurt commented as he began stripping the bed. "I wouldn't mind going back, but it wasn't home- we did meet someone who knew my parents though,"
Kurt went on to tell Elliot about Mrs. Denmark.
"Maybe I'll have her son." Elliot said with a grin. "I'm really excited for next year."
They worked together to remake the bed and Elliot asked,"So how did your appointment go?"
Kurt sighed as he used his quirk to put the fitted sheet on with ease. "It went well."
"And what does Blaine think about it?" he asked, giving Kurt a look.
Kurt shook his head, "I'm not going to go into details with you."
"I don't want details," Elliot protested, "but who knows this is something that I may want to do someday and I just want to know if it affected things."
Kurt decided to choose his words with care. "Blaine was not opposed to the changes. It's still me."
"As modest as ever I see," Elliot teased.
Kurt threw a pillow at him, "What I mean is, when you really love someone I don't think it matters what their body looks like, you love them for them. So-"
"Was it different?" Elliot asked not looking at Kurt.
"Yes, but not bad different. If you go this route I don't think you or your future partner will be disappointed." Kurt said. He smiled at the idea of Elliot finding that kind of happiness.
"Really?" Elliot asked.
Kurt decided to throw him a bone, "The only thing I will tell you- no refractory period. Best thing ever."
Elliot gave him a shocked look before they both burst into laughter.
Once they had recovered and the bed was made, Kurt asked, "So how were things here?"
"It was really great actually. We had a great time. Cooper isn't at all like I thought he would be."
"What do you mean?"
Elliot seemed to think for a moment before answering. "I mean I thought I knew who he was. You can't have lived here for long and not know who Cooper Anderson or Phoenix are. I mean I know you are obsessed with the music you brought with you, but for the rest of us, their music is everywhere. I could probably sing for you a dozen songs, and I've never bought any of their music. And I've seen Cooper in interviews, he always seemed like this larger than life, over the top personality, but- that wasn't who I saw. He had no problem letting Elster tell him what to do, or put makeup on him. It was fun- yet he also seemed sad."
"I think their dad has a lot to do with that. I swear that man doesn't know how to treat his kids. I've seen it with Blaine and I doubt Cooper is any different."
"Well, thankfully you and Blaine don't follow in his footsteps." Elliot smiled.
Kurt returned it, "Can you believe that by Christmas we could have a baby?"
"Do you really think it will happen that quickly?" Elliot asked.
"I don't see why not." Kurt said with excitement, "I mean the doctor did say that everything was working perfectly so why shouldn't it."
Once Blaine returned with dinner and they had all eaten. Elster presented them with their surprise, made from scratch brownies. She beamed with pride as she served everyone. Kurt was happy to be home with his new, ever expanding family.
Spring break was full of activity. Their days were spent together as a family, going on new adventures, Cooper in tow. His nights were full of Blaine, loving each other and indulging in the new activity of baby making. When school returned, Mercedes and a new tech assistant named Mike joined the support course as well.
It was a little strange having a third adult in their house. It wasn't as if Cooper was always there, he would disappear for hours at a time, but would return each evening. Eventually he opened up about what exactly had upset Mr. Anderson so much to not let him stay with them.
"He doesn't like the idea of me moving back here." Cooper said with a shrug. "He thinks he can get me to change my mind."
"But don't you have responsibilities back in LA?" Blaine asked.
Cooper looked away, as if he were worried about disappointing his brother as well. "I quit the band. It- it just wasn't what I wanted in my life anymore. I'm over partying and being with a different person every night. I want to settle down- meet someone and build a real life."
Kurt contemplated the half smile that formed on Cooper's face as he finished speaking. He didn't look wistful, but almost like he was holding back on saying too much. Not long after that conversation, Cooper found his own apartment not too far away and Kurt lost any hope of finding out if he was right about that face.
Things continued to be bright in Kurt's life. Even with the changes to his body Kurt was filled with a new kind of hope he hadn't experienced before. He felt so optimistic about what the future would hold. He and Blaine were going to have a baby. This thought eased any discomfort he felt towards his new body, it was a means to an end. It was for their family. For almost a month he let himself focus on these thoughts, blinding himself with optimism for once in his life.
One morning he woke up and began to groggily search for Blaine's form in their bed ready to wrap his naked body against his husband's. As he started to roll towards him, Kurt became aware that something wasn't right. The sheets beneath him were wet and his thighs felt sticky. He pulled back the sheet and saw blood.
"Blaine," Kurt whined with panic in his voice. When Blaine didn't respond he repeated his name louder with more urgency.
"What?" Blaine said, sitting up with a start.
Kurt looked at him with tears in his eyes, "I'm bleeding. I don't- I don't know what to do."
Blaine looked down and his face morphed from fear to a sad understanding. "I'm sorry, Kurt. Do you- what do you need me to do?"
"I don't have anything, I didn't think. I don't know what to do." Kurt said, trying to hold himself together.
Blaine took Kurt's hand gently. "Why don't you go take a shower and I'll call Isabelle, I'm sure she can probably walk you through what to do. I'll take care of the bed while we wait. How does that sound."
As mortifying as it sounded asking his boss for help, Kurt was ready to latch on to anything at this point. He didn't have words, or the heart to let Blaine know all that he was thinking and feeling in that moment. Instead, he just nodded his head and hurried to the bathroom. As the warm water cascaded over him, Kurt let the tears fall. He had had so much hope that they would get pregnant right away. He felt like a failure, even with a perfect body made just for this task, he couldn't do it. Would it ever happen? He let his grief and insecurity out, grateful for this time alone. Once his tears had run dry and the shower cold, Kurt emerged and quickly pulled on clothes. He was glad it was Saturday and he was not expected to look his best.
He had just pulled on a T-shirt when a soft knock came to the door.
"Blaine told me everything," Isabelle said as she stuck her head in the door. "Why didn't you tell me this was what your trip was for?"
Kurt shrugged a shoulder, "I didn't want to tell more people than needed to know."
"Well, now you will be an even better girl dad." Isabelle smiled.
Kurt raised an eyebrow at her, "What do you mean?"
"Not many dads can truly sympathise with their daughters when they start their periods. You will be able to help Elster when the time comes." She beamed at him.
Isabelle thoroughly explained to Kurt each of his options, their pros and cons, and how to use them. She had brought a plethora of supplies and once Kurt had chosen what he thought he would be comfortable with, she waited as he went to use them.
Kurt felt betrayed by his new body. Suddenly he was aware again of what he was missing, how different he looked and felt. He tried to hide his discomfort from Blaine. That was when the dreams began.