Chapter 9

Blaine readjusted the grocery bags that he was trying to keep hold of as he attempted to extricate his key from his pocket. It might have been easier to just put the bags on the ground to open his front door, but that would surely be conceding defeat. He had finally gotten the key from the pocket of his jeans, when the choice was taken from him. The bags he was holding were taken out of his arms and placed on the ground at his feet, and he caught a glimpse of chestnut hair before he found himself wrapped in a tight hug.

It was amazing how quickly his heart seemed to melt at the wordless embrace.

"Hey, stranger," Blaine said, tightening his own arms around Kurt. "How was your trip?"

"It was amazing and cultural and life-changing, but I am never leaving ever again."

Blaine couldnt help the laughter that escaped him. "I missed you, too. Now, take your luggage to your place, and Ill get these groceries, and then come and tell me all about your trip."

Kurt released Blaine, and stood back with a huge smile on his face, but his eyes immediately dropped to Blaines stomach. "You got bigger!"

Blaines own eyes dropped to his stomach and he put a hand on the bump, which was quite noticeably larger. "Yeah, you missed a growth spurt, hey? I mean, I do get bigger all the time. I guess when you see me every day it seems more gradual. But think of how much bigger I am now than when we first met."

Kurt tried to picture Blaine on the day that he had carried the crib up the stairs, and was surprised at the image of Blaine that came to mind. It was quite different to the Blaine that stood in front of him.

"Wow, youre right, I kind of forget that this little guy keeps growing. He invaded Blaines space to put a hand on his stomach, but Blaine only smiled at Kurts action.

"Youve only ever known me pregnant; imagine how hard it is for me," Blaine said, with a role of his eyes. "I used to be able to wear jeans that werent made of elastic, you know."

Kurt laughed and said, "I know, Ive seen photographic evidence in your apartment. Why do you think Im allowing the fashion faux pas now?"

"Why, thank you," Blaine replied, his voice full of condescension, and Kurt couldnt help but laugh. "Now, get your bags inside, and then come over, because you need to regale us homebodies with your stories of wonder and travel.

Kurt hurried into his own apartment, and put his suitcase on the bed to be unpacked later, changed his flight wrinkled shirt for a fresh one, and then made his way back into the hallway. Blaines door had been left slightly ajar for him, and so he slipped inside and shut it behind him.

Blaine was in the kitchen, pouring hot water into two mugs, coffee for Kurt, and herbal tea for himself. When he saw Kurt walking into the kitchen he passed him the mug, and gestured towards the living room.

Kurt told Blaine all about his trip as they sipped from their mugs, Blaine being the perfect audience for his outlandish stories of the Italian fashion world. Blaine was still laughing at Kurts words when Kurt asked about what he had missed.

"Here? Nothing much," Blaine answered, looking thoughtful as he tried to think of an interesting occurrence in the time that Kurt had been gone. "Sams been over quite a bit; hes trying to stop me from becoming a hermit, but he also doesnt quite understand that I cant exactly go to bars with him anymore. So weve been hanging out in the park mostly."

"Thats nice," Kurt said, "How is he?"

"Good, but right now hes been on a mission to get me to reevaluate my baby name choice. Hes been informing me of the merits of calling him Sam. Solid name, apparently," Blaine said, with a role of the eyes.

"You all still seem pretty convinced its a boy; maybe he should be selling you on Sami."

"Ah, but I know. Special abilities, remember?" Blaine said, pointing to himself in a proud display. "Anyway, youll all see tomorrow though. I will accept all praise after my doctors appointment."

"Youre finding out the sex tomorrow?" Blaine nodded. "Whos going with you to the appointment? Sam? Or Tina?"

Blaine looked a bit confused, "No one," he said. "Im going by myself."

Blaine did not expect Kurts reply to be quite so vehement. "What? But, Blaine! You cant go by yourself!"

Blaine looked a bit offended at Kurts words, and said, "I went to my other appointments by myself and Ive been totally fine."

"No, but this is a big deal, dont you want someone to be excited for you? Moral support?" Kurt asked.

Blaine laughed at Kurts reaction, but was slightly subdued in his response. "Ill be fine Kurt. My friends are excited for me, it doesnt mean I need them to hold my hand through this."

"Okay," Kurt said. He understood that Blaine wanted to know that he could do it all alone; needed the affirmation that he was capable. At the same time, he wanted to be there to show him that he didnt need to be alone if he didnt want to be.

Blaine seemed to have picked up on Kurts dilemma, because he looked very touched. His eyes drew together and he smiled softly at Kurt. When he spoke, it was in an honestly curious voice.

"Kurt, do you want to come to my doctors appointment with me tomorrow? It probably wont be very fun for you, a lot of waiting rooms and watching a lady poke my stomach. But youll know the sex of the baby before Sam, and you can probably hold that over his head for many years to come."

Kurt smiled hugely and said, "Yes, Ill come with you. What time are we leaving?"

When Kurt returned to his apartment later that evening to shower and sleep of the jet lag, he knew in his heart that the trip had proven exactly what he hoped it would. Even surrounded by people he had looked up to his whole life in an amazing European city, nothing felt better than returning home to see Blaine.

Next door, however, Blaine was just beginning to wonder why Kurt being back had made his apartment seem more like home than it had in two weeks.