Blaine at his side, Kurt entered a store in the Lima Mall that he never had occasion to before.  Babies ‘R' Us.  The last shopping frontier, and he looked around cautiously at the unfamiliar terrain.

“So … baby registrys that away,” Blaine gestured toward a huge sign emblazoned with storks, hung above a desk.   They approached the Registry Desk hand in hand, and greeted the middle-aged woman sitting there with trepidation.

“Hello, boys.  Here to buy a gift?  What's the mother's name, I'll print out a list for you,” she smiled.

“Uh …” Kurt glanced at the woman's name tag.  “Actually, Claire, we're here to register.  For our baby.”

Claire stared at them a moment, then shook her head.  “Listen, boys, it's a Saturday afternoon and we're always extra-busy on Saturdays with mothers registering.  I only have so many of the scanners,” she explained, pointing to the wall where only two hand-held scanners still hung. “I suppose this is some kind of fraternity dare or something, but I can't give you my last two scanners.”

“Do we look like frat boys to you?” Kurt said, gesturing to Blaine's pregnancy-modified Brooks Brothers ensemble and his own Vivienne Westwood blouse and stretch pants, the only thing he could still fit into at this point.  They'd have to go shopping in the menswear store after they were done here, because he simply hadnt been able to stop binge eating and the results were apparent.

“Erm... Miss Claire … the thing is ... we're a couple, and we're expecting a baby. We were hoping to be able to register here,” Blaine explained patiently.  “Here's the sonogram.”  Blaine took a copy of his latest sonogram from his wallet and handed it over proudly.  

Kurt slipped an arm around Blaine's back.  He'd been looking forward to this … something fun, shopping for their new baby, even if only their families and a few select friends would know about their secret for a while.  He hoped this stern lady wouldnt ruin it. They looked pleadingly at Claire, who sighed and waved to the chairs.  “Fine.  Sit down and let's get started.”

Claire asked the name of the baby's mother and father, and as theyd decided beforehand, they gave only their first initials and last names, “B. Anderson” as the mother, and “K. Hummel” as the father.  The due date of December 15.  And then they were given two scanning guns and turned loose in the store.

“Let's not go too crazy,” Kurt cautioned.  “She won't need a million clothe- oh my god! Blaine!  A leopard-print coat!!”  Kurt scanned it quickly, and Blaine laughed.

“Kurt, that coat was $55.00 and she won't be big enough to wear it until next year!  I think we should focus on the essentials.”

“Right.  Car seat, playpen, crib.  Onesies, diapers.  Bottles,” Kurt agreed.  “I've been doing research and those are the main things she'll need right at the beginning.”

“You've been researching?” Blaine said, tilting his head and pointing toward a white crib. “What about that one?”

“We should get one of the ones that convert into a toddler bed,” Kurt mused, consulting his list.  “That cherry-wood one over there is rated very highly for safety and durability.”  At Blaine's impressed look, he admitted, “And yes, I've been doing research.  We have to think about the future, not just when she's tiny.”

“This is true,” Blaine said, pointing the scanner at the tag and scanning it.  “And while we're on that topic … I know you were invited to a tour of NYADA next week.”

“Oh, yeah, that,” Kurt said, examining some crib sheets.  “Only 300 thread count,” he said disapprovingly.  

“Kurt.  You should go.”

“It's optional, Blaine.  I don't want to leave you right now, okay?”

Blaine put a hand on Kurt's arm.  “You should go.  We agreed you'd keep your options open.  All this registering and all is fun, but… we still don't know that … that things will work out - -”

“Don't say that!  It's bad luck,” Kurt blurted.  “Everything will work out.  Our baby girl will be fine.  You'll  be fine.” You have to.

“Still.  I want you to go, and … there won't be any need to leave me.  I'd like to go along with you and see the campus.”  Blaine held up two sets of sheets, one pink with dancing kittens, and the other pale yellow with a Noah's Ark theme.

“Let's not overdo the pink … I like the yellow.”  Kurt scanned the sheets, and then bit his lip, asking, “Are you sure it's safe for you to travel, though?”

Blaine nodded.  “I asked Dr. Shelley and she said I can travel up to 24 weeks.  After that, she'll want me to be local and seen twice a week … maybe even admit me to the hospital, she isn't sure … but I'll be twenty-one weeks next week.  This might be the last chance I have to travel for a while, and I'd love to see your school so I can visualize everything when we talk on the phone.  And ...my birthday is that weekend, so it could be a birthday celebration too.”

Kurt felt tears pricking at his eyes.  He still wasn't sure he wanted to go away to school. He was afraid something awful would happen if he did, somehow.  For whatever reason, he had the urge to get an apartment here, and feather a nest together, and … he looked at Blaine's hopeful face.  But then again... “Okay … let's go and make it a big birthday celebration … and … “

Blaine quirked an eyebrow.  “And what?”

Kurt rubbed his back. He was getting some serious back strain the last few days. Probably from the hideous gut he was developing.  "Can we sit a minute?"

"Sure."

They moved over to the rocking chair section and sat down in side by side gliding rockers. Kurt sank into his with a relieved sigh. "God this is comfy." He reached overhead and scanned the tag. He reached over and took Blaines hand.

“And ... let's get married while we're there,” Kurt said.  “We can get a license on your birthday and then if we stay the weekend, get married on Monday once the waiting period is over.”

“But then our parents won't be there,” Blaine said dubiously.  

“I know, but I … I want to be married before the baby comes and … like you said, we can't travel after another couple of weeks.  We won't be able to get married in Ohio so we need to go to a civilized state before its too late. None of them are in favor of us getting married anyway so why worry about them being there?"

Blaine gave him a concerned look. “Why are you so set on us getting married before I have the baby?  What difference does it make if we get married later, when I move to New York?'

“I ..” Kurt trailed off, and Blaine's face turned serious.

“You're afraid if something happens to me … you want to make sure you have some say over things.  Is that it?”

Kurt couldnt deny it, but dodged the question. “I love you so much, Blaine. Please? We wont tell anybody unless we have to and we can have a big renewal ceremony and reception in a few years. Please."

Blaine smiled shyly and took a furtive look around before leaning over the arm of his glider and kissing him on the cheek. "Okay. Ill elope with you."