Kurt didn't stop smiling all day. He couldn't have if he tried. Every one of his patients at Lima Memorial got the extra special, bursting with happiness, I probably look like I'm high as a freaking kite, Kurt Hummel treatment that day. That is, after he and Blaine had arrived at work almost an hour late...

"Wait..."

"Did he just..."

"I think he did!"

"Oh. My. god."

"Oh, Elliott!"

"Dude! You own vocal chords."

"Do it again! I have my phone out to record it now!"

"Ok, everyone stop! You're gonna freak him out!" Kurt had raced over to stand in front of his son and was holding his hands out to stop all of the other adults as they swarmed in on the three-year-old. Elliott wasn't freaked out as of yet, but he did seem incredibly confused as to what the hubbub was about. "I just, I know you're excited. Believe me, so am I. Just... let's not overdo this, scare him and have to wait another three years for sentence number two." Kurt spoke in a slow, calm voice as if speaking to children. The seven other adults realized that he was right and backed off quickly. Jeff and Wes both said that they really needed to get to work anyway and that they would talk soon. Jeff hugged Kurt firmly and they shared a watery smile. Wes held out a fist for Elliott to bump saying "Yo, man, knuckles" and clasped Kurt on the shoulder briefly before exiting the yard. Kurt looked at everyone else. They didn't seem to be going anywhere. "Do you guys mind if... I would just love a minute alone with my son." They all agreed quickly, stepping into the house, including Blaine. Kurt thought he might head out to the hospital since they were going to be late but apparently not. Kurt was glad.

When they were alone Kurt simply sank to the ground, took Elliott into his arms and shook with silent tears. So much for not making a big deal. He supposed he could have done much worse though. He had debated jumping in the air while screaming to the world that his son had finally spoken. This, at least, was much more like the reserved Kurt that Elliott knew. Kurt opened his eyes and loosened his hold just a bit when he felt Elliott's hands move from around his neck to his face. The boy was looking curiously at his father and gently wiped away some tears with his small fingers.

"I know buddy, I'm sorry. It's kinda weird that I'm crying right now, huh?" Elliott just smiled and cocked his head to the side.

"It's just that, ok, you know that I love you just the way you are right?" Small nod.

"I would never change one single thing about you. Ok?" Nod.

"I loved hearing you say daddy just now." Kurt's voiced cracked with this and his eyes were bright again with unshed tears. Elliott smiled.

"It's ok that you don't like to talk. You don't ever have to if you don't want to." Another slow nod.

"But, baby, El, just know that if and when you want to talk, ever, me and Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Finn, Aunt Rachel, just everyone... we are there to hear what you have to say."

This time Elliott didn't respond at all. He just stared up at his dad, continuing to stroke his father's cheeks with tiny thumbs. After a minute Kurt smiled at his son and hugged and kissed him again. He then stood and reached down to pick Elliott up. Cradling the boy to his chest he started to walk to the house. Kurt lived for these moments of closeness. He loved the feeling of his son snuggling into his shoulder, knowing that Elliott felt completely safe and loved right then. He leaned his head to the side, resting lightly on the sandy brown head of hair with a contented sigh.

"I love you, daddy."

(Just keep walking. Don't cry again. He's going to think you're the biggest wuss in the universe... Oh my god! How can life possibly get any better than this!)

"Love you too, El."

Kurt looked up and grinned another one of those ridiculously huge grins that were actually starting to give him a headache as he saw Blaine coming down the hall. The nurse had been nothing short of amazing today. He had waited patiently until Kurt was finally ready to go, given Elliott a hug and simply said "you're awesome kiddo" as they left. On the drive he had listened excitedly as Kurt went on about how long he had waited for this and then patiently reassured him when Kurt feared that he had handled it poorly or responded the wrong way. The doctor had been a complete and utter mess, in a good way, and kept falling to pieces. And all day long Blaine kept putting him back together.

He had also taken every opportunity he could to touch him. The squeeze of a hand, a pat on the back and even an arm around the waist once when they were alone in the break room looking over a chart together. It wasn't sensual or sexual, or even romantic though. It was friendship and support and it was celebratory. It was exactly right.

"Leaving now?" Kurt saw that Blaine already had his signature black backpack slung over his right shoulder.

"Yeah, I have to duck out a few minutes early so I can go home and change. Are you sure you don't mind snagging a ride from Simone? I'm so sorry to leave you stranded! I wasn't thinking about us not leaving together when we rode in this morning." A hand lifted to rest on Kurt's arm. Kurt had the weird and brief thought that if he were a kitten he'd be purring right now.

"It's perfectly fine. Don't stress. It actually works out great because she was mentioning the other day that she is looking for another daycare for the twins and really wants to check out Carole's."

"Can Carole handle anymore on her own?" Blaine thought with concern that two more kids would total seven and that just seemed like too much for one person to deal with. Kurt laughed and shrugged while shaking his head.

"Technically it's just within the legal ratio but I think she's nuts of she tries. My guess is that she'll be roping my dad into helping."

"Would he?"

"He'd do anything for Carole." Kurt shrugged again. Blaine swallowed hard at this, thinking, not unkindly, that Kurt really took this response for granted because of the amazing marriages he was surrounded by. (I wonder what being married to Kurt and being a part of this family would be like?) Blaine's eyes widened. (Whoa there! Dangerous thoughts. Let's change directions.)

Kurt looked up from the chart in his hand, realizing Blaine's eyes had glazed over slightly. "You o.k.? You seemed a little lost in thought?"

"Yeah, totally fine." Blaine pulled himself together with a smile. "So, I don't know about you but I don't work tomorrow. I won't see you until dinner." Why did that seem like a ridiculously long time to go without seeing each other?

"I don't work either. I'll have the whole day to get beautiful for you." Kurt winked flirtatiously, for once with complete abandon. Blaine felt a warm tingle start tickling the inside of his stomach. "I'll swing by your place and pick you up around 7. Is that o.k.?" Blaine nodded quickly in agreement. "O.k., well, I'll see you tomorrow then. Have fun with whatever your plans are tonight!" With a cheerful salute Kurt was gone.

Blaine's hand fell from the nothingness where Kurt's arm had been and landed back down at his side. (Oh yeah, tonight.) Warm tingly feeling completely gone.