Chapter 26

When Kurt and Blaine arrived at the hospital, it was gearing up to be a beautiful autumn day. Kurt had no hesitation in seeing it as an omen for the day to come.

They walked through the doors and were led to a private room where Blaine was given some privacy to wait. Kurt closed the privacy curtain around the bed anyway, and helped Blaine change into a paper gown, holding him steady as another contraction hit while he was halfway into the flimsy garment. Blaines cheeks were stained red from the exertion of the few movements by the time that Kurt helped him into the small bed, and pulled a chair to the edge of the bed so he could continue holding Blaines hand. 

Kurt knew that he was not going to be present for the actual birth; Blaine had made it clear that he wanted that moment to be about his child, and Kurt understood. If they did break up at some point, Kurt knew that Blaine didnt want to remember that moment in regards to his boyfriend.

Regardless, Blaine held tight to Kurts hand while nurses came and went, and Kurt couldnt help the rush he felt at knowing he was offering him a sense of comfort; that he was needed.

When the doctor finally came in to check on Blaines progress, she gave them good news.

"It wont be much longer now," Doctor Harrison said. "It might be time to call your family and friends to let them know youll be going in soon."

Blaine nodded his understanding, and said, "We called my parents and brother on the way here. They said theyd get some breakfast first, and then meet us here after the birth." He gave her a rueful smile. "Itll probably be less stressful without them here for this part; my family tend to be on the over-dramatic side."

Kurt jumped in then, "And Ill call everybody when you go in and let them know. Itll give me something to do while I wait."

Doctor Harrison smiled and said, "Great. Ill be back in a few minutes to wheel you through, Blaine." She waited as Blaine was struck by another contraction, but when his head had dropped to his pillow once more she put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze. "This is it."

Blaines face stretched into a smile and he gave her a grateful look. "This is it."

When shed left the room once more, Kurt brought their linked hands to his lips, and kissed the back of Blaines fingers.

"Ill be right here, in the waiting room. Ill see you when its over."

"Ill have a baby then, Kurt."

Kurt smiled at him fondly. "I know."

"This is crazy."

"I love you, Blaine."

Blaine looked at Kurt, and his eyes spoke more than his reply. "I love you, too."

Kurt got up from his chair and brought their lips together in a chaste kiss. "Im so proud of you. Now go have a baby. Im dying to meet Oliver, and I think hes kept us waiting long enough, huh?"

"Ill say," Blaine said, with a huge grin, and when the door swung open again and a couple of nurses came towards the bed, Kurt gave him one final kiss, and slipped out of the door.

Kurt tried his hardest to avoid pacing the waiting room like every Hollywood cliché maintained he would, but after the first 30 minutes, sitting down became an impossibility.

Hed already called Blaines family, whod assured him they would be arriving shortly and were completely ready to meet the newest member of the Anderson family.

Then Kurt had called his own family to tell them the news and theyd offered their congratulations and asked Kurt to call with more information when he could. Burt had also asked Kurt if he was taking time off work to help Blaine get settled in with the baby and Kurt had told him of the conversation hed had with his boss.

When Kurt had spoken to Marcia about taking his vacation time after the birth, shed been shocked.

"Your boyfriend is having a baby?" shed asked incredulously.

"Yes, in mid-November, so I want to take some time to be with him if thats okay-" but Kurt had been cut off completely when shed thrown her arms around him.

"Kurt, I had no idea you were even seeing someone, let alone having a baby! Let me tell you, I never really saw you as the family type, but who knew there was a whole other side to you? Congratulations!"

Kurt had failed to mention that it wasnt strictly his baby, and had accepted the well wishes anyway after she had approved his leave.

Kurt stopped his pacing long enough to ask a passing nurse if she had any information about Blaine, but she hadnt heard anything. He thanked her when she said she would pass on any information and he would probably get an update soon enough. Kurt looked at a clock on the wall and figured enough time had passed that he could make the last few phone calls. He picked up the phone and dialed Sams number, telling him they were at the hospital.

"Itll probably still be a while, but I thought Id let you know so you can come through later-"

"No, man, Ill come wait with you. Im on my way now."

Kurt couldnt deny his gratefulness at having Sam there with him.

After he hung up with Sam he called Tina, who didnt listen to half the conversation before declaring she was on her way.

His job was done. All he could do now was wait.

Blaines every breath felt labored.

His eyes stung as bright florescent lighting blurred through unshed tears of anxiety, or exertion, or both. 

He could hear voices as though through water, swimming in and out of focus as he broke the surface, before being swallowed beneath it again.

Then a moment of clarity as an insurmountable weight was placed upon his bare chest, and his eyes found his sons face for the first time.

He gathered enough breath for one word.

"Oliver."