July 22, 2013, 7:42 p.m.
The Epic Love Affair
Forever Love: Chapter 23 - Rest
E - Words: 4,540 - Last Updated: Jul 22, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 92/92 - Created: Dec 30, 2011 - Updated: Jul 22, 2013 793 0 2 0 0
"He's awake!" Kurt yelled as he held tight to Blaine's hand. Blaine's eyes were trained on the blue that was home to him.
The EMT took out a flashlight and looked at Blaine's eyes. "He definitely has a concussion. His pupils are dilated. Blaine can you tell me your full name?"
Blaine was groggy. "Blaine Jonathan Anderson." The EMT looked to Kurt for confirmation and Kurt nodded that it was correct.
Kurt had moved toward Blaine's lower body to allow them full access to his head, but held tight to Blaine's hand. They were relaying the information to the Emergency Room so that they could be prepared to take care of Blaine properly. "Blaine, do you know how you hurt yourself?"
"Some asshole tackled me after the game was over." He groaned, but Blaine giggled just a little at how it came out. Blaine was going to be okay. "My head really hurts and I'm really tired. I just want Kurt." Blaine was babbling nonsense and started to shut his eyes.
"Blaine, can you try to stay awake?" The EMT was just keeping him awake until they go to the hospital. "Do you know where you are right now?"
"Yeah. Ambulance with lights. Turn them off please." Blaine blinked. "Kurt? Where's my fianc�e? I need my Kurt."
"I'm right here Blaine. Holding your hand. Squeeze my hand Baby." He squeezed.
"I love you Kurt. Can I look at you?" He tried to sit up.
"Blaine, we're gonna need you to stay down buddy. We're almost at the hospital." The EMT's were trying to show patience, but Blaine was disobedient.
"I don't want to go to the hospital. I just need to go home and sleep."
Kurt stepped around the 2 men working on Blaine and moved closer so Blaine could see him. "Baby, I need you to go to the hospital. I want to make sure you are okay. Is that okay?"
Blaine resigned himself. "Okay. For you Kurt. Anything to make you feel better about all of this."
"It would make me feel better Sweetie. Plus, your mom and dad would feel better about it too."
"Damn. I forgot mom and dad were at the game. Is mom okay?" Blaine was worried though Kurt couldn't understand how Blaine could be concerned about someone else when he was totally out for a while.
"Your mom was really scared Baby." Kurt called her mom. What was that?
"Okay. We're here. When we get in, Kurt, you'll have to stay in the waiting area. Friends and family all have to stay. Who is filling out paperwork?"
"I am." Kurt replied.
"Do you know all the information to fill it out?" The EMT didn't look like he believed Kurt.
"Of Course I do. We're getting married in none months." Kurt's mad side come out slightly.
"Okay, you'll have to go to the desk and fill all of it out."
Catherine and Jack arrived while Kurt was finishing up the paperwork and they all sat in the waiting area. Kurt had told them of Blaine waking in the ambulance with memory intact and a bad headache. Catherine and JR were both relieved as JR called Jack to update him on Blaine's condition.
Kurt sat quietly in the corner waiting for news on Blaine's testing and for him to be put into a room for the night. Burt sat down. "You okay Kurt?"
Kurt sat numbly recapping the entire evening. "I was so scared dad."
"But you did what you needed to do, right? You stayed strong, from what I heard." Burt put his arm around Kurt's shoulders. "I'm very proud of you son."
Kurt felt so young in that moment. He was still a kid. He was still Burt's son. "Thanks Dad." Kurt's looked at his dad and then his eyes cast in a direction beyond his father and he stiffened at whatever was there. Burt immediately turned around to find the football players entering the waiting room.
JR already caught them updating them on Blaine's condition. Coach Bieste smiled slightly and apologized. What really got Kurt upset was the presence of Azimio. Kurt stood and Burt followed putting his hand on Kurt's shoulder. "Kurt, you know that hit was not Azimio's fault."
Kurt turned to his dad. "Yeah, that one wasn't, but what about all the other ones that he purposely didn't block." His dad was concerned about how Kurt would react and at that point JR and Catherine were watching to see what Kurt was going to do. "Don't worry dad. I would never stoop down to his level." He gave Burt a tired smile and Burt saw the truth in it.
Finn met him as everyone watched Kurt step toward the group. "Kurt."
"Don't Finn. Just let me…" Finn took his hand off of Kurt and let him proceed.
He went straight toward Azimio and Dave. "Why are you here? The waiting room is for friends and family. I'm not sure that either of you really qualify." Kurt's voice was even but weak from the stress of the evening.
Azimio couldn't make eye contact and Dave barely did, but it was Dave that spoke first. "Kurt, we're still part of the team and we're all worried about Blaine. The team wants him back."
"Why? So you can win more games? It seems that since Blaine joined the team, thanks to Finn and Blaine, the team is now making some local headlines. If that's all you want, you can leave and I'll call you when we're certain that he's okay." Kurt started to turn toward JR and Catherine. He was tired. He acted like a man. He was polite and he politely asked them to leave.
"That's not why Kurt."
"Dave, when have you ever been nice to me? Blaine is my life. Mine.. not yours. You don't need to be here and frankly, I don't really care to have you or him here." Kurt looked at Azimio and directed the conversation to him. "You have done nothing nice for him since he joined the team. He is a special person, but the only part you think about is the part that makes him a person. What makes him special is all the magical things he does. He turned this team into a winning team for the first time in what, 10 years? He took all the hits that you refused to block because he's gay. He took every hit with dignity and strength while you sat and watched him get beaten." Kurt's eyes filled with tears. "I love Blaine. I'm here because I love him. So are his parents, my parents and all the people in Glee Club." Kurt had to pause to compose himself as the tears started to stream down his face.
"You make a mockery of everything Blaine stands for. He never asked you to do more than what you were expected to do as a team member, but all you could think about was a gay guy in the locker room. Yeah. Blaine is gay. You know what? I am so happy he's gay, because it makes him who he is. He's strong, beautiful, smart, caring and perfect and I almost lost him today. You know? Even if Blaine wasn't with me, I would still respect him and I would happy to have him as a friend because he has a fierce love of people. He never came out and blamed you for anything. He was a better person than you."
Azimio whispered out. "It wasn't my fault."
"Not that hit, but every other one he took was. Someday, Azimio, you're going to need to grow up and realize that people are not going to be who you want them to be. Everyone is an individual and that's the beauty of it all. Everyone gets to be different. I like that I'm different and I love that Blaine is even different from me. We're both gay and guess what, we are so different from each other." Kurt looked at his dad and then Finn. Finn reached out his hand to take Kurt's because Blaine would have done that for him. He knew he could never be Blaine, but in that moment, he could try to help Kurt maintain his courage. The courage that Blaine had given him.
Kurt took Finn's hand and nodded his thanks. "You can stay. If you really care about him, by all means, stay, but forgive me if I can't talk to you while you're here. I just can't be a hypocrite."
Kurt turned to go back to his corner. "Kurt!" Azimio yelled and then walked across the room to apologize. "I'm sorry that I was mean to Blaine and to you. I just.. I was raised to think that being gay was wrong. I still think.. I still, I guess think it's wrong, but the truth is, Blaine is a hell of a player and that alone deserves my respect. That's why I'm here. I'm here to show my respect."
"You know, Azimio, if you could just put aside all that hatred for gay people, you might find out that we are real people. You might find that you actually like us as people. I appreciate you telling me why you're here, but I can't forgive all the bad things."
"Neither can I son." Kurt turned to find Jack standing in the back. He started to push his way through the crowd of people. He had a couple other people with him as he made his way over to hug Kurt. The grumbling started. Jack just paid attention to Kurt. "Kurt, you know that grandson of mine has a thick skull. He'll never be held down for too long. In the meantime, I brought some guys with me for the night. They wanted to talk to Blaine and see that he was doing okay. They have a bye this week and thought they could help lift the team spirit, but even more than that, there here to talk about what it means to be a team and win as a team."
Kurt had no idea who they were, but they looked like football players. "Jack thank you for coming. I'm so glad you're here. I told you he would be fine. You really didn't have to change your flight for this." JR came over and gave is mom and dad a hug. Ellen made her way directly to Catherine to comfort her. Finn started talking to one of the big guys and introduced him around the team. The other came straight to Kurt and shook his hand.
"Nonsense JR, we were in the air headed back to Boston. It was on the way. We stayed behind with two of the players to participate in a fundraising event in San Diego." Jack nodded to the two players that were with him. They had already started to talk to some of the football players and others that were there.
"Kurt, Jack was talking about you. Man, you are one tough kid to deal with all the stuff you've been through." Kurt nodded and felt stupid that he didn't know who the guy was. "You know, I'm a wide receiver for Jack's team." Kurt nodded but still didn't know who he was because he never watched. How he wished now that he would have sat through one game with his dad, Finn and Blaine and paid attention. The man continued on. "I think I might be shorter than you. I hear Blaine is a short guy too."
Kurt smiled because they made fun of each other because of that. "Yeah. But he's built better than me. I wish I followed football because then I wouldn't feel so stupid right now. You know who I am, but I don't know you and you're famous." Kurt blushed because everyone in the room probably knew him.
Burt approached Kurt and the player. "Hi Wes. I'm Burt Hummel, Kurt is my son." Burt put his hands on Kurt's shoulders. Kurt looked up at Burt because he still didn't know who this person was. "Kurt, this is Wes Welker. He is a wide receiver for the New England Patriots." Kurt still showed no recognition. Burt turned to Wes. "How were you able to get away?"
"We were doing a fundraiser with Mr. Anderson since it's a bye week. We were on our way back to Boston when he told us of the injury. I wanted to meet Mr. Anderson's tough grandson so me and Rob told Mr. Anderson we would be okay with coming here with him."
"We still haven't seen him yet, but he'll be thrilled to meet you guys. As it is, these guys are already all over Rob." Burt had advised Wes. Kurt looked over and everyone was all over the other football player.
"Hey, Kurt, if Blaine's as tough as that guy over there, you have no worries. Something tells me he's tougher."
Kurt smiled. "He is really tough."
"Hang in there. I'm sure he's going to be fine in the long run." Jack made his way over as Wes went over to meet the rest of the players.
"So you met Wes Waker?" Kurt just nodded. He had to admit it was cool, but he wanted to see Blaine so badly.
"Is there a Kurt Hummel and Mr. Anderson."
JR motioned to the person and waved for Kurt to come over. He looked like a doctor and they suspected that he was the one working on Blaine. "I'm JR Anderson and this is my son's fianc�e Kurt Hummel." The doctor gave him a weird look. "They are getting married in New York City in June." Completely unsure if it was something that he had to share, JR was uncomfortable with the way the doctor looked at him so he made it clear that Kurt was important to Blaine."
"Okay. Well, I have some good new and some bad news."
Kurt took a deep breath. "Can we hear the bad first?"
"He's got a concussion and will have to be on complete brain rest for at least seven days. He will need to follow up with his doctor in about five days to determine his progress. We aren't really sure why he didn't immediately wake up, but he did talk about being dizzy and tired."
"What is complete brain rest?"
"No school, nothing that will stimulate brain activity. No sports for at least ten days. Lots of rest and sleep"
"So, nothing? What about talking on the phone or watching TV. He also loves to play music."
"I wouldn't recommend any of that until he feels better."
JR put a hand on his shoulder. "Kurt. Don't worry."
"JR, your son is going to go crazy not being able to do anything."
"I know, but if that's the bad, think about it. What's the good news?"
"It's just a concussion. We did a CT scan and there were no other brain injuries. He had no other noticeable bodily injuries and honestly, he is a very healthy boy. I would expect a full recovery. While I don't recommend him playing football soon, he can continue after released. I would get a special helmet for him."
"We can talk to his grandfather about that."
"The schools should know how to get him one. They can order them." The doctor seemed to know this for certain. "This happens a lot in football."
Kurt took over from here. "So he will need to stay the night?"
"Yes, for observation only. He can go home tomorrow but, remember, no brain stimulation."
"Right. I understand doctor. I guess I need to remove all batteries from remotes and lock away all instruments." JR laughed.
"Kurt, I don't envy you on this."
"I hope he sleeps most of the time."
The doctor responded before walking away. "He'll be tired for a few days. You'll know when he starts to feel better. He'll start to get antsy and the headaches and grogginess will go away. You can see him now. He's in room 322."
"JR, do you mind if I go see him first?"
"You go ahead Kurt. I'm going to talk to everyone and send them home. He really doesn't need to see everyone just yet. Too much stimulation."
"He should see the football players and Jack. They came all this way." Kurt would hate that they came here and Blaine not meet them.
"Sure, but just for a little bit."
"Hey good looking." Kurt whispered as he entered the room. "You sure know how to bring the house down."
"I'm sorry Baby."
"Why are you sorry? It was the Whitmer guy that should be sorry. But you really need to stop. You shouldn't be worrying. Actually, they said you shouldn't be thinking at all."
"I know. How is that even possible?"
"I don't know, but no stimulation is what the doctor ordered and that's what I'm going to deliver." Kurt took Blaine's hand and settled on the chair next to the bed. "I have no idea how I'm going to keep you from thinking. You're the most cerebral person I know."
Blaine laughed. "You mean besides you?"
"I guess." Kurt blushed.
"I miss seeing you blush. I know one thing that keeps me from thinking at all."
"You are unbelievable. I thought you might die and all you can think about is sex?" Kurt kissed Blaine on the forehead pushing his curls off and then running his fingers through his hair. "I think that is probably on the list of activity you aren't allowed to do. The endorphins are probably not good for your brain."
"I can't help myself. It happens when a gorgeous guy walks in a room."
"Any gorgeous guy?"
"Just you." Blaine squeezed Kurt's hand gently. "I love you. Sorry I scared you."
Kurt finally let a tear fall from his eyes the stress from the entire evening finally seeping out. "I love you so much. I'm just glad you're okay. You're perfect really."
Kurt sniffled. "No, you are." Kurt laid his head down on the bed at Blaine's side.
Blaine ran his fingers through Kurt's hair. "So, I'm not allowed to go to school."
"You're not allowed to do anything for at least seven days. A doctor needs to release you to go back to school and sports. Just quit football."
"Kurt, you know I can't. I like playing, but I also don't quit something I started. If the doctor says to quit, I will, but if I can help the team, I want to go back. It'll only be for like five games."
Blaine strength and perseverance was something Kurt loved about Blaine and he would not deny Blaine as long as the doctor released him. "If the doctor okay's it then I will be there to support you."
"Love you Baby."
"You have a few guests. Actually, your dad sent home the entire McKinley football team. Even Azimio."
"Why was he here?"
"Well. He wanted to apologize to you. He said he respected you. He still thinks we're mutants, but he respects you." Just then there was a knock at the door. Jack peered in. Kurt smiled. "Come on in." He looked at Blaine with a huge smile. "Guess who's here?"
Blaine smiled. "Granddad! Hey, why did you come here? I'm totally fine. You shouldn't….."
"Blaine, just shut up. We were on our way from San Diego to Boston when your dad called about your injury." Jack and Ellen walked all the way into the room with two other people in tow.
"Oh my God.. you brought Wes Waker and Rod Gorkowski." Kurt laughed. Blaine turned to him and whispered. "You had no idea who they were, did you?" Kurt shook his head. "Next time pay attention when your dad and I are watching football."
"Hey Kurt. I'm Rob. I was attacked out there when I walked in." Kurt shook his hand and nodded.
"Hi Blaine. I was telling Kurt that you'd be just fine. I got a concussion last season and I'm totally fine. You just need to get rest and you'll be back in no time." Wes was friendly and Blaine looked astonished that this NFL football player was talking to him like they were hanging out.
Rob smirked. "As fine as you could be." They laughed and Blaine did too.
"We stayed in San Diego to do some fundraising after last weeks game and were on our way back to Boston. It was on the way. We're leaving tomorrow morning, but not before they talk to the team about teamwork."
"That would be good. You should watch the film too. I'm sure you could help with pointers." Blaine looked at Wes. "I'll take any tips and Rob could probably give Azimio some tips at what the right thing is to do."
Rob spoke up. "We'll take care of that. Hey, make sure you get to a game this season. We'll come up and visit."
Wes agreed. "Yeah, now we should get going. You need your brain rest. Don't think too much." They shook Blaine's hand gently. "Jack, we'll wait out there. You know what, we'll talk to that Coach Bieste and set up when we can meet with the team." Jack nodded.
Jack turned back to Blaine. "So from what I heard, it was a dirty hit."
"I wouldn't know. I didn't even see it coming."
Kurt was adamant. "It was."
"I'm going to be calling someone." Jack quieted now because Blaine began closing his eyes a little. "Blaine, I'll see you next week. Okay?"
"Granddad. I won't be playing. You don't have to come."
"Can't I just come to visit you and Kurt?"
Blaine was falling asleep. "Yeah.. Nice.." He closed his eyes.
Kurt kissed him on the cheek whispering. "I love you, Blaine."
Blaine's parents stayed the night and Burt, Carol and Finn went home since Blaine was probably going to be out for the night.
Wes Waker and Rob Gorkowski entered the locker room. Coach Bieste nodded to them and Rob opened with a quote. "Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. Can anyone tell me who said that?"
Azimio raised his hand. "Vince Lombardi."
"Correct."
"Wes and I have heard that this group has not always embodied teamwork." Azimio looked down, because he knew they were talking about him. "Let's talk about that for a bit."
Jack entered the room while they were talking. By the end of the talk, they had asked the room for examples of what their own team does well with teamwork. Finn said, "Blaine and I are really good friends and he's marrying my brother, but anyway, because we have a trust and friendship, I think we connect on the field really well. I know I'm not the most accurate and he knows it too. It's like he knows where I'm going to end up throwing and I trust him to be there for me."
"Kurt's your brother?" Wes seemed surprised.
"Yeah. His dad married my mom last year and it's been really great. He's an awesome brother and I love him and Blaine. They are two of my best friends. Well and Puck."
Puck smiled. "Thanks Bro." They fist bumped.
"That's a great story. Well, we want you all to meet Jack Anderson, the owner of the New England Patriots. The reason we wanted him to come is because teamwork is not just on the field but also with the owner of the team. He does a lot for us and in turn we do a lot for him."
Azimio turned to Finn and Finn nodded. Azimio now realized that he had been treating a relative of the owner of an NFL team badly. "Thank you Wes and Rob. I think all of you know my grandson. Some of you better than others. Finn and Puck. Boy's good to see you. They're here because I wanted them to tell you how a team works together to win games." He pointed to Wes and Rob. "I personally witnessed some poor teamwork by some of you a few weeks ao and it really disappointed me because my grandson was the receiver that was singled out. I am here to say that this team can do anything, but you have to work together. You have to put all differences aside on the field of play." He looked directly at Azimio. "When you're in a game, it doesn't matter what your personal feelings are. You are a team and you are there to do one thing. That is win."
Coach Bieste stopped them there. "Thanks for much for coming out here today. It's been such a thrill to have you speak to us today. Everyone say bye, they need to be on their way to Boston." She saw them toward the door. "Good luck on your season."
"Kurt, I am not a baby."
"I know. Doctor's orders, no thinking. Rest!" Kurt was manhandling him. Blaine hated being taken care of. He liked to take care of others. Kurt had taken Blaine upstairs to bed. They had just gotten home from the hospital. "I'll be right back." Kurt went downstairs. JR and Catherine had spent the night in the hospital with Blaine and Kurt. "He's going to be stubborn."
Catherine knew how bad Blaine was when he had to be taken care of. "That's how all the Anderson men are." She smiled. "You'll have your hands full Kurt. Now come here. We need to leave and I'm not leaving without a hug and kiss from you." Kurt gladly hugged his future mother in law and then his father in law.
JR ordered Kurt. "Take care of him. He's going to be a handful, but I have complete faith in you Kurt. You just take charge when he gets mouthy. Okay?"
"I will JR. Be safe driving." Kurt waved as they pulled out of the driveway. Before he headed back upstairs, he grabbed a bottle of water. Blaine was not in bed when he got back upstairs. Kurt found him in the bathroom looking in the mirror. "What are you doing?"
"I feel gross. I want to take a shower."
"How about a bath? But I need to set ground rules because you get a little frisky in the bathtub." Kurt cupped Blaine's face in his palms because Blaine pouted at the mention of rules. He wanted to be close to Kurt.
"I hated that we couldn't sleep together last night. I'm just so used to you being there. I felt alone."
"You're crazy Blaine. I was right there in the chair next to the bed."
"Yeah, but I wanted you to be lying next to me. I can't help that I'm a creature of habit. Not to mention that I couldn't' collect on my "
"Okay, I get it. I'm going to draw the bath and we are going to bathe. Nothing else. I can't have your brain shutting down on us. Columbia will wonder what the heck they saw in you." He kissed Blaine tenderly on the lips. "Promise, you'll listen to me?"
Blaine knew that he would lose this battle so he kissed Kurt back and agreed.
They settled down to a bath in the silence of their own bathroom and as he agreed, he didn't try anything. Blaine was just happy to be pressed against his love and to be blanketed in the warmth of Kurt's arms. Bath time was always the time when Blaine was the little spoon and really liked it. Kurt washed him gently with a washcloth and when they finished, they climbed into bed. Even though it was only after 1:00 in the afternoon, they both slept poorly in the hospital. The sleep was welcomed as Kurt let Blaine wrap his arms around him as he cuddled into Blaine neck to settle for a long nap.
Comments
Blaine is so horny LOL. But honestly, I absolutely love how his first thought is Kurt. He is so selfless and I love that character trait about him. I really liked the involvement of the football players and the sort of conversation Kurt had with Azimo. And for the author's note, sorry for the bad weekend. I must admit I laughed about the tablecloth. Sorry about the bird. And in the end notes, I hate reading chapters with no smut (LOL) but this was still a good chapter. :)
Blaine is all boy and Kurt is going to be the responsible one... I liked making Kurt strong and in charge. The tablecloth was funny after the fact, but the bird.. still so awful when I think about it! :(I hate writing chapters with no smut! lol