‘Hello, baby, Blaine cooed as he held Ella close to his chest, ‘Hello, beautiful baby. The day is so beautiful because you are so beautiful.

Kurt had to admit: as crazy as his husband might be, he always speaking the truth.

It was only March but the sun was already shining bright, the flowers were already blooming and the birds had started their own little show choir in the garden, chirping their own cheery tunes all day long. It was a beautiful day but seeing the smile on his husbands face and the twinkle in Ellas blue eyes made it even better for Kurt

‘God, youre adorable, Kurt said, watching both his husband and his baby girl from the edge of the bed.

Blaine came closer to the bed and leaned down to peck Kurts forehead, apparently giving Ella enough time to grab a strand of Kurts hair and pull it. Kurt gasped at the sharp pain as he felt Blaines lips still on his forehead and his hand flew up to his hair.

‘El, let go, let go, Kurt said, trying to untangle Ellas little fingers from his hair but instead Ella pulled her hand away from him, pulling at his hair again. ‘Ouch, Ella!

Blaine caught up with what was happening and gingerly uncurled Ellas fingers, effectively freeing Kurts hair while doing so. ‘Are you okay? he asked Kurt.

‘Hurts, Kurt whimpered a bit, fingers gently touching the spot where his skin was burning with pain from the pulling, ‘Shes so tiny but shes so strong already.

‘Just like her daddy, Blaine smiled and peeled Kurts hand away to press a soothing kiss to Kurts hair, making sure Ella was unable to grab Kurts hair again, ‘There, I kissed the boo-boo better.

Kurt chuckled, shaking his head. ‘I love you, he smiled.

‘And I, Blaine booped Kurts nose, ‘love you too.

Right at that moment, the doorbell rang and Blaine perked up. He gasped, looking at Ella. ‘Who could that be, El? Could it be grandma? Or a big, scary monster?

He smiled when Kurt raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Well, you never know if Carole brought Burt along, Blaine explained, snickering.

Make sure he doesnt hear that or El will have only one daddy left, Kurt chuckled, patting Blaines shoulder as he padded past him to the living room to open the front door.

Blaine looked at Ella who looked up at him, a little giggle escaping her rosy lips. Daddy doesnt mean that, granddad loves me and he knows it.

He walked out of the bedroom just in time to watch Carole coming in, Burt trailing behind her.

Good mor- oh look whos also already awake! Carole smiled as she quickly walked over to Blaine and more importantly, Ella. She reached out her hands and swiftly took Ella from Blaine who watched Ella giggle as she laid in her grandmas arms.

‘Hello to you too, Carole, Blaine smiled and watched the way Caroles eyes were lit and focused more on Ella than the world around her.

‘Oh yeah, sorry sweetie. Good morning, she pressed a kiss to Blaines cheek before returning all her attention to Ella again.

‘Shes totally enchanted by the girl, kiddos, Burt said, ‘When we got to our hotel room last night, she couldnt stop talking about her. It was like I didnt exist!

‘Well, thats because El here is much much cuter than you, honey, Carole said, not even looking up from Ellas faintly blushing cheeks.

Blaine and Kurt both snickered, hands covering their mouths to hide their grins. ‘Im just... gonna ignore that, Burt said and walked over to the couch where he plopped down. Kurt followed him, sitting down in the armchair across the sofa.

‘Oh wow, she has some muscles! Carole said as Ella grabbed and squeezed her finger tightly, ‘Soon, shell be as strong as her dad.

‘Tell me about it, Kurt muttered, hand coming up to touch his hair again.

‘Ella thought it would be fun to pull at Kurts hair, Blaine explained after seeing Caroles confused look.

‘Twice, Kurt added and smiled when Blaine came over to sit on his lap.

‘Twice, Blaine echoed, smiling at Kurts tiny pout.

‘Okay, boys, ready for babycare 101? Carole asked as she sat down next to Burt, handing Ella over to him. Burt instantly cuddled her and made farting noises, trying to make her laugh. God, thats totally something Finn wouldve done if he was still here, Kurt thought, He wouldve loved her to pieces.

‘Totally, Kurt smiled, watching Blaine look at Burt and Ella on the other side of the coffee table.

Carole nodded towards Blaine. ‘First of all, I need the attention of both parents.

Blaine looked up when Kurt poked him in the ribs. ‘Huh?

‘Havent you been looking at our girl for long enough today? You never look at me the way you look at Ella, I can tell you that, Kurt chuckled.

‘Sorry but, Blaine half whispered, half whined as he tore his gaze away from Ella, ‘look at her, Kurt. Shes so beautiful and I wanna hold her again.

‘Youve been holding her all day, honey, Kurt said, ‘Dad hasnt even got to hold her for a minute since we adopted her.

‘Okay, Blaine pouted. He snuggled closer to Kurt and wrapped his arms around him. ‘Then Ill just hold you instead.

‘Deal, Kurt whispered in Blaines ear before looking at Carole again, ‘Okay, I think were ready now.

‘So, as a mother I can tell you guys that crying is completely normal for a baby. You should be more panicked when she doesnt cry because thats when somethings wrong, Carole started and she leaned forwards a bit, ‘The thing is: she has spent 9 months in her mothers womb and she has felt safe there, knowing she was close to her mother. She has heard her mothers heartbeat for nine months and shes gotten used to it and suddenly, shes here.

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other. They sort of had an idea where this was going but they still waited for Carole to explain.

‘The warmth and comfort of the womb she was in is gone and her mothers heartbeat is too. Now shes here with two fathers, who apparently love her very much but who she doesnt know yet. Its normal for babies to act different for the first few days or weeks before shes actually used to her surroundings.

‘So we should just... give it some time? Kurt asked.

‘Yes, Carole nodded, ‘but also try to make her get used to the both of you. I understand you two have taken care of her the whole week, cuddling and talking to her and thats good. But when she was tired, you probably laid her down in her crib, right?

The two boys nodded and patiently waited for Carole to continue.

‘Maybe thats where you went wrong. Its good that you talk or sing to her, that way shell recognize your voice and it will calm her after some time. Ive told you about the mothers heartbeat. Well, babies fall asleep quicker when they hear their parents heartbeat so when you see that she starts to get tired, hold her to your chest or lay her down on your chest so she can listen to your heartbeat. As for the crying, the heartbeat will eventually calm her down when shes distressed too but that will also take some time.

The two boys nodded and Blaine furrowed his brows when Carole started looking straight at him.

‘The worst thing you can do when your baby is crying is to start panicking yourself, Carole said and quickly continued when she saw panic and shock in Blaines eyes, ‘Honey, Im not saying that what you did was wrong. The first time youre alone with your child is hard, especially if youre the dad and youre young.

Burt looked up at this and nodded. ‘Oh yes, Blaine, what you had to deal with was nothing compared to what I had to deal with back in the day. He looked at Kurt and said: ‘Sorry, son, but you were a real pain in the ass sometimes.

Kurt rolled his eyes at his father. ‘Oh wow, thanks dad.

Carole turned her full attention back on Blaine and smiled softly. ‘Blaine, it was a good job to call Kurt so he could take over. Now Im not saying that youre weak, honey, because we all know youre one of the strongest people we know but what Im saying is that youre smart. This way youve let Kurt know youre not ready to do it on your own yet, that you need him. I think Kurt wouldve done exactly the same if he was in the position you were in.

Blaine looked at Kurt who nodded and hummed. ‘Of course. Youd be the first one Id call, he told Blaine and started playing with the hair at the nape of Blaines neck.

Carole smiled at the two before continuing. ‘When shes crying you can also take little walks with her. Just hold her anyway you think is most comfortable for your little girl and take a walk through the yard or something, spring is approaching so that might help. Colors and new things will get her interested and focused and shell cry less.

Kurt and Blaine both filed that information away for later. They both loved taking walks through the park so that tip will be used a lot.

‘Next tip: the funny faces. Babies love funny faces, as you can see, Carole pointed to Burt who had blown up his cheeks and who now looked like a bald hamster but they all heard a tiny giggle coming from Ella. Blaine wouldnt tell anybody but his heart ached because he wasnt the one who was making his little girl smile right now. ‘Oh, and blowing raspberries on her tummy, she added.

‘Oh, mom used to do that too! Kurt exclaimed, ‘It always made me giggle, of course, thats what she told me when I got older.

‘See, itll work. And invent some new things yourself like little puppet shows or something like that, Carole ended, ‘Kids love puppets and I bet youd be good at that. I think thats all I can help you with, boys, Im out of tips.

‘Thats all? Kurt asked, eyes wide in surprise.

‘Thats all, Carole chuckled.

‘Its that easy? Blaine asked as surprised as his husband.

‘Its that easy, Carole echoed.

‘Oh wow, Blaine told Kurt, ‘How did we not know all this?

Kurt chuckled. ‘Well, weve been running around like beheaded chickens the last couple of weeks so that might be it.

‘Thats normal, honey. Sometimes you overlook the easier ways and do everything the hard way, Carole said.

‘Parenting is hard but Im sure you two will work it out, Burt added.

‘Yeah, Kurt said, looking at Blaine, ‘Well figure it out. He noticed Blaines smile faltering just for a second before Blaine snuggled closer and buried his face in Kurts neck.

*****

They spent the rest of the day hanging out together. They had lunch in the garden, Kurt and Carole basked in the streaming sunlight while Blaine slowly swung on the swing he and Kurt had set up during the adoption process with Ella in his arms and Burt read the newspaper.

‘Look at him, Carole smiled as she nodded towards Blaine.

‘Huh? Kurt questioned, sitting up while taking his sunglasses off. He saw Blaine on the swing, holding Ella and seemingly singing a song to their daughter.

‘Look at him, Carole repeated, ‘Hes doing great with Ella.

‘He is, isnt he? Kurt wondered. He worried his lip but quickly stopped when Carole caught him.

‘Is there something wrong? Carole asked, turning to Kurt in her seat.

Kurt kept watching his family on the swing. ‘I dont know, he eventually said.

‘Oh come on, bud, whats eating ya? Burt said, lowering his newspaper just enough so his eyes were visible.

‘I think Blaines still a bit insecure about all this, Kurt said, ‘He thinks I dont notice it but I do and it drives me nuts because I dont know how to help him conquer his fear.

‘Hell come around, Burt said, focusing back on his newspaper.

‘I hope so, Kurt murmured, ‘I hate seeing him beating himself up over what his father did to him.

Not much later, Blaine got up from the swing and walked over towards the three sitting on the lounging chairs. ‘Shes just taking a nap, Im gonna go and put her in her crib, okay? he asked, approaching Kurt and his parents.

‘Ill come with you, Kurt suggested and got up, making his way to his husband. He opened the glass door to the living room and let Blaine go inside first.

‘Thank you, honey, Blaine smiled and walked towards the bedroom door with Kurt trailing behind him, ‘Oh and I think Caroles tips are working; the moment I sat down on the swing, Ella was just glowing. There was this sparkle in her eyes that I had never seen before and she kept staring at the leaves on the trees and you might think Im crazy but it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

‘I dont think its crazy at all, Kurt said, walking into the bedroom behind Blaine. Blaine gently lowered Ella into the crib before turning the baby monitor on and grabbing the spare one. When he turned to Kurt, Kurt was worrying his lip again.

‘Whats wrong? Blaine asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

‘Nothing, B, Kurt lied, ‘Im fine.

‘Kurt, youre worrying your lip. Again. Something is wrong and you know you can tell me. I want you to tell me so I can help, Blaine said.

‘How can you help me if I have no idea how to help you? Kurt asked.

‘Wha- Kurt, lets do this in the living room. I cant risk waking up Ella, Blaine asked, confusion clearly showing on his face.

Kurt nodded and walked into the living room, Blaine on his heels this time. ‘What are you talking about? Blaine asked after hed closed the door.

‘I dont know how to help you, Kurt said, miserably.

‘Help me with what, Kurt? Blaine asked.

‘When my dad said that parenting is hard, you looked sad for a moment and Im one hundred percent sure it has something to do with you thinking youre gonna be like your dad, Kurt explained, walking over to sit on the couch, ‘and I dont know how to help you get over that fear.

‘Thats what youre upset about? Blaine asked, coming over to sit to the edge of the coffee table. He saw Kurt nod and he grabbed Kurts hand, squeezing it reassuringly, ‘Honey, as long as youre here to keep me sane and under control, Ill be fine. Yeah, Im afraid but like your dad said, well make it. Baby, we will make it.

Kurt leaned forward and so did Blaine, holding his arms out and wrapping them around Kurt when he was in his reach. He pressed a kiss to Kurts shoulder and nuzzled his face in Kurts neck. ‘Youre nothing like your father, Blaine. Not a single bit. I love you and goddamnit Blaine, Im gonna help you raise Ella to a beautiful woman even if its the last thing Ill ever do!

‘I love you too, Blaine mumbled against the skin of Kurts neck. He inhaled Kurts scent and he loved the familiar smell of vanilla. He pressed another kiss against Kurts pulse point this time.

‘We should head back out before they start looking for us, Kurt chuckled, rubbing over Blaines back.

‘Just a little while longer, Blaine murmured and completely ignored the world around him. Now, only Kurt and Ella mattered to him.

Right now, only his family mattered.