Friends and Family

                           Chapter 20 – Coming Home

“Kurt, are you awake? Blaine whispers. “No, I'm sleeping.” Kurt replies as he grabs the clock and says. “It's 5:30 in the morning. Go back to sleep Blaine.” Kurt says as he cuddles with Blaine. I can't, I'm wide awake.” Blaine informs Kurt. “Why are you awake?” Blaine asks Kurt. “Besides the fact you are talking to me. I can't sleep either because I am too excited about bringing Elizabeth home today. I bet she is sleeping right now.” Kurt says as he looks at Blaine's eyes that are wide open as he lies on his side. “Are you nervous about being a Father? My stomach feels strange like it is filled with butterflies. This is such a huge responsibility to be taking on.” Blaine confesses to Kurt. “Blaine, if Lindsey didn't think we could do this she wouldn't have given us her children to care for. You know what we are feeling is called new father nerves. I bet if we asked our parents about how they felt when they brought us home they would say they felt nervous and worried too. If we didn't feel nervous I would be worried. I have faith in us. We can do anything as long as we do it together.” Kurt says reassuring Blaine. “Thanks Kurt, you are going to be a great Father and a wonderful husband.” Blaine says as he kisses Kurt.

“Kurt before we go pick up Elizabeth we need to make some formula so it will be ready when she gets here and we need to pick out an outfit for her to wear home from the hospital.” Blaine mentions to Kurt. “Oh my God” Kurt says as he starts to get out of bed. “Where are you going?” Blaine asks concerned. “I have to go look at her outfits. It is going to take me a while to choose the correct one because it has to be perfect.” Kurt explains. “Kurt, wait a minute!” Blaine shouts. “Emma is sleeping. You will wake her up. You're going to have to wait until she wakes up.” Blaine says as he chuckles at Kurt. “Drats” Kurt says as he stops and comes back to bed. “You know Kurt our lives are going to be busier, more complicated, and be more exciting than ever before but we need to make a promise to each other. We need to make a promise to each other that we will always find time to cuddle and be with each other away from the kids and not feel guilty about it.” Blaine says as he hugs Kurt closer placing his head on Kurt's chest. “I promise Blaine.” Kurt says as he kisses the top of Blaine's head. “I'll be right back.” Kurt says as he gets up and leaves the room. A few minutes later Kurt returns carrying a tray with two cups of coffee and some cronuts along with a calendar. Blaine sits up and takes the tray from Kurt so he can get back into bed. “Breakfast in bed Kurt,” Blaine says. “Actually it is going to be a working breakfast. You're right. We are going to be so busy juggling kids, school, work, and so many other things we need to be more organized.” Kurt announces as he takes out a calendar and some paper. The boys spend the next hour making a schedule that guarantees that Emma and Elizabeth are always supervised by an adult, glad that their friends have volunteered to help them out when they have a conflict. “That is a good job completed.” Kurt says just before they start to hear noise coming from the baby monitor. “I think she is awake. Blaine says. “Mommy” They hear Emma say as they both feel a twinge of sadness. The blanket can be heard being rustled and then they hear footsteps running down the hall and soon they see Emma standing in the doorway. She runs to their bed with her arms up. “Good morning Emma. Did you sleep well in your new bed?” Kurt asks as he picks her up and places her between them. She spies a cronut and starts to grab for it when Blaine stops her and breaks off a piece for her. “Mmmmm” She moans as the two boys laugh. “Whip cream and cronuts, she is definitely your daughter.” Kurt jokes.

Everyone has eaten breakfast, gotten cleaned up and they are dressed nicely as they head to the hospital to pick up Elizabeth and bring her home. “Baby home” Emma says full of energy. “Yes Emma, we are going to bring Elizabeth home.” Blaine says as Kurt picks up Emma and he picks up the baby bag containing Elizabeth's outfit that took Kurt an hour to pick out. “You know Blaine we are leaving as a family three and returning as a family of four.” Kurt says with a smile as they head out the door.

After a taxi ride, that Emma giggled during causing everyone to laugh. The young family enters the hospital and walks to the nursery arriving at 10:00 a.m. After having their wrist bands checked they enter the nursery and are greeted by Dr. Jackson. “Good morning, I bet you are here to pick up Elizabeth.” She says as she signs the release papers for Elizabeth. “Baby, baby” Emma squeals as she points to the babies in the nursery. They all smile happy to see Emma so excited about her baby sister. “The nurse will go over a possible schedule you can follow as she adjusts to her new home.” Dr. Jackson says. “I am glad I got a chance to see you today. I wanted to make sure you guys are all set. If you have any questions later on just give me a call and enjoy these lovely babies. They will grow up fast.” Dr. Jackson says a she leaves the nursery. Blaine and Kurt head over towards Elizabeth's basinet. Blaine picks up Elizabeth and walks over to the rocking chairs and sits down in one while Kurt sand Emma sit in the other. “Emma I want to introduce you to Elizabeth Lindsey Hummel-Anderson.” Blaine says as he holds the baby close to Emma after pulling her blanket away from her face. “Baby, my, baby” Emma shouts and carefully touches the baby's face. “This is your sister E-liz-a-beth.” Kurt says with pride. “Eliez” Emma says as she tries to say her name. “Yes” The Fathers say in unison, proud of their little girl as she laughs at the two men. “Blaine, we need to start dressing Elizabeth so we can take her home.” Kurt says while Blaine stands and lays the baby back into her basinet. He checks her diaper and then gets her outfit out of the baby bag. Blaine takes Emma so Kurt can dress the baby in the outfit he picked out. He finishes by putting on her booties and placing a coordinating headband around her head of brown curly hair. “You look beautiful sweetie.” Kurt says as Blaine and Emma look on with smiles. Blaine gives Kurt his phone so he can take some pictures of their family. “Okay gentlemen, here is the schedule we have been following in the nursery and here is Elizabeth's appointment for next week with Dr. Gibson her pediatrician. If you have any questions or concerns call her office and they will be happy to help you out.” The nurse says as she hands Blaine all the paper work he needs. “We are going to miss this little one.” She says as she leaves to attend to a crying baby. “Baby, home” Emma says reminding everyone that we should be heading home. “You're right little one it's time to take Elizabeth home.” Blaine says as he puts the paperwork in the baby bag before he picks it up and puts it over his shoulder. Kurt wraps up Elizabeth in her baby blanket as she looks at him with her blue eyes wide open. “We are ready Blaine, let's go.” Kurt says as they head out of the nursery. “Wait” They hear a nurse yell at them. The boys look at each other wondering what happened. “You can't walk out with the baby.” The nurse says. “She is our baby. Why can't we take her?” Blaine says concerned. “You can, but you can't walk out with her. Hospital policy is you have to ride. So please have a seat sir.” The nurse says to Kurt as she brings a wheel chair to him. “You have got to be kidding.” Kurt says embarrassed as he sits down in the wheelchair with the baby. “Get that smirk off your face right now Mr. Anderson.” Kurt says as he looks down at the baby not wanting to look around. “Alright let's go.” Blaine says as he follows the nurse pushing Kurt, hoping not to be back inside a hospital anytime soon.

Kurt unlocks the apartment door and holds it open as Emma runs inside followed by Blaine with Elizabeth before Kurt shuts the door his family safely inside. Blaine puts the baby in the basinet while he takes off his coat and Emma's coat. Kurt's goes into the kitchen to warm a bottle for Elizabeth while Blaine unpacks the baby bag in the girl's bedroom. “Blaine, the bottle is ready. You can feed the baby now.” Kurt yells so Blaine can hear him. He quickly goes to Elizabeth and picks her up and walks into the kitchen and takes the bottle from Kurt, making sure it's not too hot. Kurt puts a ham sandwich in front of Blaine with a drink and a turkey sandwich in his place. Emma is sitting in her high chair eating some spaghetti next to Kurt. Blaine looks at his family and his eyes start to water. He watches Kurt takes a bite out of his sandwich and then he quickly helps Emma with her spaghetti as it slides down her chin. He looks at Elizabeth's angelic face looking at him as she guzzles down her milk feeling content. “You okay?” Kurt asks Blaine noticing the tears. “I'm fine Kurt. It's just that I look at my family sitting here at this table eating lunch and my heart is bursting with so much love it hurts, if that makes any sense. I love this family so much I don't know the words to describe it and I am so looking forward to spending a lifetime together.” Blaine explains as Kurt rises and walks behind Blaine putting his arms around his neck and whispers into his ear. “Me too Blaine, me too.