“I guess in some ways it’s nice that you’re missing it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s gross. I remember when Luke was born, and there was blood and screaming and my hand got crushed. It was like a war zone. I’d never felt so helpless. The doctors kept rolling their eyes at me like I was just some idiot in their way, and I guess they were right. I didn’t know what I was doing. I wasn’t much more use when we got him home; I was still clueless.”

Kurt leaned forward.

“What about when Blaine was born? What was that like?”

Blaine looked at Alexander and they both smiled.

“It was actually kind of amazing. I guess it helped that your mother had an epidural so she wasn’t screaming so much, but somehow it felt different. Your brother was… a surprise, and obviously we loved him, but we wanted you so badly. I felt ready. I couldn’t wait to have a squirming little bundle in my arms again, screaming and peeing everywhere. I think the best moment, the day we bonded or whatever, it was the first time I was alone in the house with you. Luke was at some birthday party and your mom had gone out for lunch with her friends, and I just sat with you. You must’ve been a week old, and I sat on the couch, feet up, with you on my lap, and it was like we were just hanging out. I could have stared at your eyes for hours. You were just gazing up at me, like you totally trusted me. It’s weird being responsible for someone else like that. As far as you were concerned, right then and there, the world began and ended with me. It’s hard to explain; I know that sounds selfish-”

“No it doesn’t.” Kurt smiled at him. “God, this is ridiculous. How am I tearing up again?”

“Well, if you’re sick of crying, you definitely don’t want to be in there. You’d both be a mess.”

His phone vibrated on the table. They all stared at it for a second. Alex grabbed for it and knocked it off the table. He jumped out of his seat to pick it up and stabbed at the screen to answer it.

“Hello? What’s happened? It can’t be over yet- what? Really?”

“Dad, what’s happening?”

He shushed them and listened for a minute. He nodded, looking serious, said goodbye and hung up. He turned back to Kurt and Blaine to see them on the edge of their seats, staring up at him.

“It’s Becca, she, uh… she wants you. She wants both of you down there.” Kurt’s hand crept instinctively towards Blaine’s.

“Is something wrong?”

“Not exactly… she’s going for a C-section. Apparently the baby’s heart rate is a little low so they’re just going to get him out as quickly as possible.”

They jumped out of their seats but before they could run off Alex put a hand on each of their shoulders.

“Listen to me. I know you want to scream and panic and fight to get him back, but right now you just need to be strong for him. Actually, you need to be strong for Becca. She doesn’t have anyone with her; that’s why she’s asking for you. Right now she’s not the woman who betrayed you. She’s a woman who’s scared and in pain and all alone. So you’re going to do the right thing and sit with her, because you’re all she’s got.”

They nodded, grasping each other’s hands a little tighter. They turned and followed signs for the maternity ward.

*

“Hi, we need to see Becca- Rebecca Harris. She asked for us.”

The nurse raised one eyebrow at them suspiciously.

“Are you relatives?”

They looked at each other, not sure what to call themselves. Luckily, another nurse came bustling round the corner. She was chubby and her cheeks were flushed; she’d obviously been looking for them.

“Are you Blaine and Kurt?” They nodded. “Right, good, just this way. It’s a good thing you’re here, she’s not dealing with this tremendously well- but don’t tell her I said that. She’s fine. Just… just come quickly.” Kurt and Blaine smirked at each other. She must’ve been a surgical nurse, because she was scared shitless of Becca. But knowing that reminded them. Surgery.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached her room. Stephanie was sitting outside.

“I’m not allowed in. She only wants you two.”

They had to throw some scrubs on, which was something of a relief as they’d been in the same outfits since they’d been in San Francisco. Blaine led the way into the room. It was cold and clinical, and he saw Becca’s head bob up from her bed. She looked terrified, and her hair was plastered across her forehead with sweat.

“Blaine? Thank you so much, I’m sorry, I just, I didn’t know who else-”

“I know,” he said soothingly, rushing to her side. He grabbed her hand as a curtain was assembled over her chest. “It’s fine, I’m here now. None of that matters as long as you’re both safe, OK?” She nodded, tears mingling with the sweat on her red cheeks and he kissed her head and took her hand. Kurt stood just behind him, scared of getting in the way.

“You know, Becca, they do these all the time…” he blinked and shook his head as he realised who he was talking to. “Well, of course you know. You probably do them, but I mean, they’re your staff so they must be pretty good, right?”

She nodded again, even laughed slightly. Kurt walked nervously to her other side and took her hand and stroked her hair. It all felt so familiar, as if nothing had gone wrong and they were all where they were supposed to be.

“Kurt?” He nodded at Becca, eager to do anything he could to help. “Could you look? You know, behind the curtain?”

“I- I wouldn’t know what I was looking for-”

“Please, Kurt. I just want someone at that end. Don’t worry, my lady parts aren’t even involved any more. Just look out for him.”

Kurt and Blaine snorted, still finding her funny despite everything, and he nodded and stood up. As soon as he peered behind the curtain he winced. Blaine looked up, worried.

“What? What is it?”

“Gross. No offence Becca, I’m sure as insides go yours are great, but… gross. Just red everywhere, and-” He went silent. He was dumbstruck.

“Is something wrong?”

“Kurt, you’re terrible at this. Update us.”

Kurt tried to find some words, but his mouth hung open as someone else answered for him. And he didn’t use words. He just cried. One scream and Kurt, Blaine and Becca were all rendered speechless. A man in scrubs emerged from behind the curtain holding a tiny, wriggling, screaming creature and held him up to Becca’s head for a moment.

“Here he is.”

Even behind his mask he was obviously smiling. She stared at the baby, barely able to breathe. She clamped her mouth shut, her lips trembling and reached up to touch his hand with her forefinger. They all took in every detail, his fingernails, his eyelashes, his toes, his wrists, and they forgot every argument and every tear and every bit of pain. They just saw this perfect, tiny boy and it was all gone. Kurt and Blaine felt more complete and content than they knew was possible.

Becca trembled as the baby was whisked off to be cleaned up and weighed, and she glanced at Kurt. He knew what to do immediately and went after the baby, right after pressing a soft kiss to her forehead and smiling at Blaine. Whoever he went home with, he was here, and he was healthy. Blaine stayed at her side and kissed her hand.

“Blaine-”

“I know. I’m not going anywhere.” He pressed his forehead against hers and their tears mixed together on their skin. He’d missed holding this hand, whether it was dragging him through the city at 3am to a club or stroking it as he cried drunkenly about missing Kurt. He’d missed having her as his best friend. He felt Kurt’s hand on his back.

“They’re taking him out to that room, you know, the… the one with all the babies. I’ll go, just to keep an eye on him.”

He smiled sheepishly at Blaine who knew he just wanted to stare helplessly at the baby. He didn’t blame him, and smiled back. Kurt bent down to where Blaine was kneeling by the bed and kissed his cheek, lingering for a minute and cupping his head in his hand. He swallowed hard and followed one of the nurses outside, looking back to see his husband, who was smiling earnestly at Becca. Only Blaine could smile at a person like that after everything she’d done.