Chapter 19 

Kurt fidgeted in his chair next to his father, watching as Carmen Tibideaux read over the letter from his doctors.   Enough time lapsed for her to get through it at least three times.  She slowly set the paper down on the desk, and surveyed Kurt and his father silently for over a minute.  Kurt gulped, pulling down on the hideous NYADA sweatshirt he'd picked out to wear for this meeting, one, because he thought it would show his school spirit, and two, because he was getting so big that only sweatshirts were really comfortable anymore.  Carmen finally shook her head.

“If our house doctor hadn't told me about the results of his exam, I'd think this was some elaborate hoax,” she said, bewildered.  “I'm still not sure I totally understand this.”  She paused for a moment, and then ventured, “You identify as male, but you're pregnant, is that it?”

Kurt sighed.  “I am male, and I'm pregnant, yes.”

Madame Tibideaux nodded, but still looked a little unclear.  “Well, there's no gender discrimination permitted at NYADA.  Your gender identity isn't going to be an issue whatsoever.”

“But I identify - - I'm not - -,” Kurt tried desperately to explain, but Madame Tibideaux waved a hand at him ominously and he fell silent. He wasn't sure she could handle the magical explanation he was about to offer, anyway.

“The request for modification to the first year curriculum is granted.  You will take the core curriculum, but will be exempt from dance and stage combat class for the first year.  However.  You will have to take something else in place of those classes, and make them up later on, in order to graduate.  Do I make myself clear, Mr. Hummel?”

“Yes, Madame Tibideaux,” Kurt said, silently exulting.  It would be really hard to keep up with classes, particularly once he and Blaine both had their babies to take care of.  But at least he would have the chance to try.  He stood up and stuck his right hand out.  “I'll see you in a couple of weeks, then.”

Madame Tibideaux eyed him, but reached out to shake his hand.  “Good luck, Mr. Hummel.  You'll need it.”

                                                      X X X X

Getting into the cab to head back to the hospital , Burt grinned and slapped him on the back.  “Well, that's one less thing on your mind, huh?”

“Yeah, one out of about a thousand,” Kurt sighed. “But an important one.  I'm glad I won't miss the first year of NYADA.”

“This is going to be a big adjustment for you guys, taking care of two babies while going to college and high school.  That'd be a big strain on any marriage.”

“Actually, Blaine is going to finish high school early.  That's what he's been working on to keep busy while he's on bed rest.  He's studying for his GED and planning to take it sometime in the next month or so.  Then he's going to take some time off and take care of the babies while I'm in school second semester.   I'll take my turn while I'm not in class, of course.  Then … well, I figure we'll need to find a good daycare for them next September so we can both go to college.”

“When are you letting Blaine know it's two babies, not one, that he's going to be responsible for while you're studying and in class next semester?” Burt demanded sternly.  “I think this secret thing is getting a little ridiculous.  It's been two weeks, and Blaine's fine … my whole life, I've never seen anybody so zen as he is these days.”

They pulled up in front of the hospital. “Well, Blaine's mother is taking a sabbatical while she's working on the book, and planning to come and help us every day for at least the first few months.  I think we'll be okay.”

When they reached Blaine's room, it was yoga time, as usual before Kurt's scheduled visiting times.  Blaine was splayed out on the mat in a relaxation pose, doing deep breathing exercises, his belly resting on his crossed legs.  Kurt wished he could be as casual as Blaine was with his body, but he spent most of his time trying to camouflage his own belly while around his husband.

“Hey, sweetie,” Kurt said, and Blaine breathed in a final time and then grinned, turning his face up for a kiss.  “Hi Dad,” he chirped to Burt, struggling up and climbing back into bed.

“So.  Any thoughts on a name for my granddaughter?” Burt asked, sitting down in a nearby chair and crossing his arms over his chest.  Kurt managed to hoist himself up onto the bed next to Blaine, sighing with relief and settling against the pillows, pulling one self-consciously over his abdomen.

“Not really,” Kurt said.  “Things have been so nuts, I guess, we haven't really discussed it.”

“Well, I already decided,” Blaine said tranquilly.  He effleuraged his belly with a serene expression. “Ariadne Anderson.  We can call her Ari for short.  You can pick the middle name if you want.”

“Erm, excuse me, but Ariadne?  Really?  And don't we both get a say in this?” Kurt said, amused.  

“I was raised by a Greek Mythology professor.  Trust me.  The last thing we need to do is disrespect a goddess.   That means, we have to honor Ariadne by naming our daughter after her.”

Kurt scoffed, but uneasily glanced at the ceiling as if Ariadne herself might hit them with another bolt of pregnancy-lightning, or worse.

“And besides, you can name the one you're carrying,” Blaine said slyly, as Kurt's jaw dropped.

“Who told you!?  Dad!?” Kurt shouted, sitting bolt upright.

“Hey, I'm innocent,” Burt protested, chuckling.  “How did you find out, Blaine?”

Blaine blushed, and smirked up at Kurt.  “I just … had a feeling for a while.  When you and I were … visiting together, the other day, I was 95% sure.  I didn't say anything because … erm ….”  He looked abashed.  “If I was wrong, you'd kill me for bringing up your waistline again.  So … when Dr. Ryan was here to see me this morning, I faked him out by pretending I already knew.  He fell for it.”

Kurt glared at Blaine, who smiled back happily.  Seeing those shining eyes, Kurt melted, and leaned in, pressing his lips softly against Blaine's.  He was dimly aware, as he deepened the kiss, of his father clearing his throat and mumbling a ‘seeya later guys' as he left the two fathers alone together.

They kissed for a few more moments, lost in each other, until Blaine, between sweet, soft kisses, murmured, “I figure you didn't tell me because you didn't want me worrying … but please don't keep things from me again. I can take a lot more than you think, and worrying that you're not telling me things is worse than dealing with it.  Okay?”

Kurt tried to kiss him again, but Blaine put his hand up between their mouths.  “Promise me, Kurt.  I don't want to worry about what you might not be telling me.”

“I promise.”  He tried to steal a kiss again, but Blaine wasn't having it and dodged him.  “Kurt.  Is everything all right with you and the baby? The truth, please?”

He sighed and pressed a kiss to Blaine's forehead.  “We're both fine.  I promise,” he said, crossing his heart.  “ But … are you happy about another baby? It means a lot more work, more - -”

Blaine smiled.   “It's wonderful, Kurt.”  The smile dimmed a little, as he asked, “But what about NYADA?”  

“Still going.  Don't worry about that.”

“Thank goodness,” Blaine said, snuggling against Kurt's shoulder.

Kurt blinked back sudden tears.  “I'm sorry your pregnancy has been so difficult, Blaine - -  I feel guilty - -I know it must be hard to see me doing fine, when you're stuck here - -”

“Don't,” Blaine interrupted.  “Don't apologize for that.  Ever, okay?”  He cuddled Kurt still closer. “I wouldn't ever wish anything but the best for you and our baby.”  He put a hand on Kurt's belly, and stroked it softly, his face full of love.

“I love you both so much.  Look!  Our whole family is on this bed!” he laughed, scooting even closer.  “We're all together.  And I know everything is going to be okay, as long as we're together.“

Kurt nodded, though he wasn't sure he could be as optimistic as Blaine.  It would be so difficult … but he broke his promise to share everything with his husband, and kept his worries to himself.