Every day after school Blaine would drive them to the hospital and they would sit there, talking to Burt and doing their homework, telling him about their day. Carol would join them after her shift and Finn would arrive after football practice, Annie and Edward dropping by whenever they could. Doctors and nurses would come in and update them on Burt's condition but not much had changed. They wouldn't know anything until Burt brought himself out of the coma. Not if, Kurt continuously corrected the doctors, when Burt returned to consciousness. He would, Kurt knew he would. There was no way his father would just leave him.

New Directions had tried to talk to Kurt, most of them wanting to apologize, but Kurt was stressed enough as it was and didn't need the drama of other people. Finn wasn't happy with this but wisely kept his mouth shut for fear that Kurt would snap at any moment.

It was Friday afternoon and Kurt was curled up on the chair, leaning against Blaine and holding his dad's hand loosely. Blaine was reading his notes aloud to Kurt, who listened intently. Their exams soon were approaching and both of them desperately needed to study. The notes only went on for so long and too soon, Blaine's stream of conversation ended and he returned to quiet studying.

Kurt gazed longingly at his dad, so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn't even realise that he was singing softly under his breath.

"Oh yeah, I'll tell you something,
I think you'll understand,
When I'll say that something,
I want to hold your hand,"

Kurt turned Burt's hand over and traced patterns on his father's calloused palm, singing all the while.

"Yeah, you've got that something,
I think you'll understand,

When I'll feel that something,
I want to hold your hand,
I want to hold your hand,

I want to hold your hand,

I want to hold your hand."

Kurt didn't notice that Blaine had stopped reading his notes to look up at him, gazing at his fianc� in awe as he sung, voice reaching impossibly high notes and weaving through an octave that was truly incredible. Blaine bowed his head back down to his notes when Kurt finished, allowing him a private moment with his father.

Kurt was lost in the moment when he felt a twitch in his hand that shoved him abruptly back into reality. Eyes wide, he turned to his dad. The hand moved again and Kurt shot up, startling Blaine. "Kurt?" His fianc� looked up from his notes, bewildered.

"Dad!" Kurt cried. Burt's hand tightened its hold around Kurt's and his head turned to face him, though his eyes remained closed.

"Burt!" Blaine cried, jumping up too.

"Nurse Nancy!" Kurt yelped, tears of happiness welling in his eyes.
Burt's eyes began to open and he looked up at Kurt blearily. "Kurt?" he whispered, his voice hoarse from lack of use.

"I'm right here, Dad," Kurt started to sob, clutching desperately at his dad's hand. "I'm not going anywhere." Burt eyes fluttered closed again and Kurt looked at Blaine hopelessly.

"Step aside Kurt," Nancy instructed, bustling into the room. Blaine grabbed Kurt by the shoulders and pulled him back. Kurt brought a hand to his mouth, trying to contain his sobs of happiness. Blaine kept his hands on his fianc�'s shoulders and kept his chest pressed to his back to show him support, reminding him all the while that he was there.

Nancy checked Burt's vitals and a doctor came rushing in, checking over Burt too.

"What's going on?" Kurt demanded, looking horribly confused.

"Looks like your dad has pulled himself out of a coma," the doctor said with a grin, checking the monitors and scratching notes onto his clipboard.

"But he's asleep," Kurt pointed out innocently, looking wide-eyed at the doctor.

"It's perfectly normal," Nancy assured Kurt with a gentle smile. "Coming out of a coma is hard work. Your dad's going to be exhausted for a while."

"He'll wake up again?" Kurt asked, eyes wide with hope.

"In time," the doctor assured him, smiling at the way Kurt's face lit up. Blaine hugged Kurt tightly and gave a little hysterical laugh.

"What's going on?" came a voice from behind them. Kurt looked up to see Carol hovering in the doorway, looking extremely worried with an equally concerned Finn behind her.

"Dad," Kurt breathed, grinning from ear to ear, "He woke up!" He leant heavily against Blaine's chest, heaving out a relieved sigh.

"He did?" Carol gasped and moved across the room towards her husband, grabbing his hand.

"He did," Kurt echoed, barely able to believe it himself. Blaine let out a sob and buried his head in Kurt's shoulder. Kurt clutched him tightly, laughing with joy and wiping his eyes with his free hand.

"Dude, this is awesome!" Finn grinned and pumped the air with his fist.

Kurt choked out a strangled laugh that quickly changed into a sob, turning in Blaine's arms and hugging him tightly. The doctor started filling Carol in on the details, telling her that Burt was definitely out of his coma but they had yet to know if there would be any brain damage.

"Thank you so much," Carol breathed, tears rolling down her cheek. The doctor patted her shoulder, grabbing Burt's chart and starting to fill it out.

Blaine lifted his head and gave Kurt a quick kiss on the cheek. "I should call mum and dad and let them know," he said, gently releasing his fianc�'s shoulders.

"OK, hurry back," Kurt murmured and Blaine nodded. He slipped out into the hallway and hit speed dial number 2 for his parent's number – obviously the top spot belonged to Kurt.

"Hello, this is Edward Anderson speaking," his father answered the phone politely.

"Hi, Dad, it's me. I have some news – it's Burt," Blaine said, unable to keep the grin off his face.

"What? What's going on?" Edward demanded, concern colouring his voice.

"He woke up," Blaine cried, leaning against the white washed walls to hold himself up. Everything was so overwhelming.

There was a pause. "Oh my God, Blaine! When?" Edward near-shouted, sounding stunned.

"Just a few minutes ago. The doctor said he's out of the coma for good," Blaine relayed the information happily.

"Thank god," Edward breathed. "Your mother and I will be there soon."

"OK, I love you, Dad," Blaine said.

"Love you too, son," Edward's smile was audible as Blaine ended the call.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and stole back into the room. He smiled at the scene before him. Carol had Kurt in a hug, kissing his cheek softly and stroking his hair. "Everything's going to be OK," Carol whispered, as if reassuring herself too.

Kurt pulled away and nodded, squeezing Carol's hands. "Go, sit with him," Kurt said, gently pushing her towards the bed. Carol gave him a watery smile and sat on the edge of the bed, taking Burt's hands between her own. Finn had his phone out and was texting at an alarming speed.

Blaine went to Kurt and held him close. "He kept his promise," Blaine grinned and Kurt smiled back, laying his head on Blaine's shoulder.

"He did," Kurt sighed contentedly. "Did you get a hold of Annie and Edward?"

"Yeah, I spoke to Dad. They're on their way," Blaine grinned.

"I'm shaking," Kurt chuckled, looking at his hands that were trembling slightly.

Blaine grabbed his hands and rubbed his thumb across the back of them. "Your dad's going to be OK," Blaine grinned and Kurt giggled. It was so good to hear after all of this time.

Annie and Edward had made it to the hospital just before visiting hours finished. Annie hugged Carol tightly, whispering words of joy in her ear.

Eventually, they were shooed out of the hospital and forced to head home. On the car ride home Kurt pulled his phone out and sent a mass text to the Warblers, informing them that his dad was awake and well.

Each replied with heartfelt messages of congratulations. "We have amazing friends," Blaine beamed as Kurt read them out to him.

"How did we get so lucky?" Kurt asked, his face glowing.

"I don't know," Blaine answered quietly. "But we're so lucky."

Kurt squeezed Blaine's thigh and smiled. "I'm the lucky one."

Blaine gazed at him, reminding Kurt of the time that Blaine had told him for the first time that he loved him. "I love you," Blaine told him.

Emotion flooded through Kurt and he had to fight back tears. "I love you, too." Blaine's answering smile was blinding.

They soon pulled up behind Finn and Carol and jumped out, Annie and Edward not far behind them.

"I think this calls for a celebration," Edward beamed as they entered the house. "How about I order us take out?"

"That sounds wonderful," Carol smiled, looking exhausted but happy.

"Everyone good for Chinese food?' Edward asked. There was a murmur of assent and they all placed their order. Edward headed back out again and Annie went to grab some plates and cutlery, bustling around the kitchen, Carol following.

Finn pulled out his phone and dialled Rachel's number to tell her the good news while Blaine and Kurt disappeared upstairs for a stolen moment alone – one they hadn't had in over a week.

They slipped into Kurt's room and Blaine wasted no time in pushing Kurt up against the wall, pinning him against it with his body and kissing him passionately.

Kurt moaned and tangled his fingers in Blaine's hair, tugging gently and angling his head to kiss him deeper. When the need for air became too great Blaine pulled away, panting. Kurt whimpered slightly at the loss, his own breathing uneven. "Wow." Blaine huffed out a laugh and pressed his lips to Kurt's neck. "I love you," Kurt whimpered as Blaine nipped at his the sensitive skin where his neck met his shoulder. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too," Blaine murmured, raising his head to meet his fianc�'s eyes. "You've been so strong this whole time. I'm so proud of you and to be with you."

Kurt cupped Blaine's face and brought his lips back to his. They kissed deeply, every emotion they felt being share through their intimacy. Blaine pulled away and leant his forehead against Kurt's, hands gripping his waist, his thumbs rubbing circles over Kurt's hip bones, both panting softly.

They heard footsteps on the stairs but neither of them moved, content with just gazing into each other's eyes. There was a knock on the door and they turned their heads to see Annie hovering in the doorway, looking sheepish.

"Sorry to interrupt," Annie said, looking apologetic. "But the food's here and unless you want Finn to eat your share, I would come downstairs now."

"Thanks Mum," Blaine grinned and stepped away from Kurt, taking his hand. Kurt blushed and smiled shyly at Annie who winked back.

The two headed downstairs to find that everyone was waiting for them, Finn eyeing his share with hungry eyes. "Finally!" Finn yelped upon seeing them. "Let's eat."

He started before Blaine and Kurt had even sat down, Kurt rolling his eyes fondly at his stepbrother's food habits. He really needed to do something about Finn; some of his habits were disgusting.

Edwards dished out Blaine and Kurt's share and they started the meal, Annie making small talk, discussing her day at work and the local gossip. Carol chimed in with thoughts about her own day, looking much livelier than she had in a while.

Blaine slid his hands into Kurt's under the table and squeezed it gently, shooting him a smile. Kurt squeezed it back and gave Blaine a secretive smile, a smile that was reserved for only Blaine. They kept their hands linked under the table for the rest of the meal, like they had many times. It was so good to be able to share moments like this that were private from everyone else. Kurt had never thought he'd be able to have this and having something so perfect with someone as amazing as Blaine was more than he could have ever dreamed for.

They were going to be OK, just like Burt had promised all those years ago.