Chapter 16

It started with something so simple. Kurt and Blaine were meeting for a late lunch before Kurt had to head back to work and Blaine went home for the day. They had just finished their meal and were handing their bill to the waitress when she smiled at Blaine and said, "How far along are you?"

It was a simple question, one that Blaine had been asked many times by people he met on a daily basis, curious about his pregnancy. He returned her smile when he answered. "Just passed the seven month mark."

"Oh wow," she said, looking at his stomach, "So its not long now? Youre already in your third trimester; itll be here so soon!" She wished them luck, and continued on her way with a smile.

Blaine, however, turned to look at Kurt with wide eyes.

"Oh my god, shes right."

"What?" Kurt questioned, picking up his jacket from his chair and standing up.

"Kurt, Im in my third trimester and Im not even close to being ready for the baby!"

"But, Blaine, youve got a crib and youve got plenty of-"

"Yes, Kurt! Ive got a crib and thats it!" Blaine cried, his hands waving frantically, still in his seat. He dropped his hands suddenly and looked at Kurt. "Oh my god, and its not even set up yet!" His expression turned distraught as he said, "Nothings ready and Im running out of time. Im the most disorganized parent ever."

Kurt dropped to his knees at Blaines chair. "No, honey, youre not. Honestly, youre overreacting," Blaine gave him a glare and Kurt quickly moved on. "Youve got plenty of time to sort this out."

Blaine dropped his gaze to the table and said, "But it doesnt feel that way."

Blaine knew that the anxiety running through him was not necessary, but the wave of unpreparedness had suddenly hit him hard. Check lists were forming in his head, miles long and intricate, and he could not control the feeling that the time was running out.

Kurt looked at him for a long moment and then said, "Okay, come with me."

Kurt grabbed Blaine and helped him to his feet, pulling him out of the restaurant with one hand and bringing his phone to his ear with the other.

"Hey, Candace," Kurt said into the phone as they made their way down the busy street. "Can you put me through to Marcia?" There was a slight pause before Kurt spoke again. "Hey, listen, Im not going to be to come back in again. Ive got a family emergency."

Blaine blinked up at Kurt through his stinging eyes, and Kurt gave his hand a squeeze, still leading them through the bustling people.

By the time Kurt finished off his call, he had lead them into a store and headed straight for the back. Blaine was about to ask what they were doing there when he was met with a wall of the tiniest, most adorable baby clothes he had ever seen.

"Kurt." The exhalation was more in wonder than in question, and Kurt turned to him with a smile.

"I get it, you feel unprepared. Well, lets tick some things off your list, starting here. If buying Oliver some tiny outfits doesnt make you feel better, I will lose my faith in fashion."

Blaine looked at the wall ahead of him again and immediately picked up a small blue onesie. Then he turned back to Kurt to show him. "Kuuurt!" he cooed at him. "This is adorable!"

And so it began.

Blaine couldnt help his enthusiasm, but Kurt used his influence to sway him towards the items that they needed, even though he could see him nearly crumbling at the tiny pink princess dress.

"Blaine, Im all for no gender limits for fashion, but thats not even for newborns."

"Its so cute, Kurt!"

Kurt rolled his eyes and proceeded to distract Blaine by laying a tiny green onesie over Blaines bump, laughing at the comparison in size.

Once they had picked out their favorites, Kurt and Blaine moved towards the checkout, and Blaine was surprised to see Kurt pulling out a card to pay for his share of the clothes.

"What? These were my picks," he said at Blaines raised eyebrow. "If you got it your way youd have gotten the bears in bow ties in every color."

Blaine rolled his eyes and immediately began to deny it, but he was secretly pleased that Kurt seemed genuinely excited about preparing for the baby. Kurt was surprising him at every turn with how involved he wanted to be; how excited he seemed for the baby. Blaine could feel his eyes beginning to fill at the gesture, and turned back to the bags being packed in front of him.

And so it went. Kurt accompanied him to a few other stores, carrying bags filled with necessities in each hand while Blaines stress levels decreased with every purchase.

When they finally reached Blaines apartment, Kurt stowed all the bags in the nursery, and gave Blaine a soft smile as they were both reminded of the day they first met.

"So, you havent had any other thoughts about decorating the nursery, have you?" Kurt asked as they walked to the kitchen for a drink.

"No," Blaine said, raising an eyebrow at the overly innocent look Kurt was giving him. "Why?"

"Let me design it." Kurt turned to Blaine, and he was suddenly struck by the thought that this was probably how Kurt pitched ideas at work. "Ill pick out some samples and arrange everything. I have experience in interior design and itll be another thing off your shoulders."

"Would you?" Blaine asked. "I really dont know what Id do, and I know youd do a much better job than what I could come up with."

"Dont even worry about it," Kurt said, pressing his lips to Blaines and laughing when Blaine followed his lips when he tried to pull away. "Give me the weekend to work on it. And no peeking! Itll be a surprise for when its done."

"Youre amazing."

Kurt raised an eyebrow, and said, "Youre the amazing one."