“AUNTIE RACHEL!” Elizabeth practically flew across the playground, straight into Rachel’s arms.

“Hi sweetie!” she replied happily, hugging the little girl tightly. Elizabeth pulled back but kept a firm hold on Rachel’s hand as they walked away towards the car. Elizabeth leant round the side of the front seat to kiss Finn on the cheek quickly once they were in the vehicle.

“Hi Lizzie, how are you?” he asked her with a smile.

“I’m great Uncle Finn, how are you?” she said sweetly. The smile on his face was bigger than normal and he replied “I’m fantastic” reaching over to squeeze Rachel’s hand quickly. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes but she didn’t think anything of it.

Not until dinner that night.

“Kurt, that was beautiful, thank you” Rachel replied, pushing her plate towards his offering hand.

“Anytime, I still think you should be sleeping instead of coming over here for dinner Miss Broadway!” Kurt said, chuckling softly.

Rachel looked over at Finn, who nodded ever so slightly. “Actually Kurt, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while.” She licked her lips nervously and gestured for Kurt to come and sit down. Blaine beckoned Lizzie over to come and sit on his lap while Rachel spoke.

“I am actually going to be leaving Wicked in two months...” Kurt interrupted her by making a noise of discomfort “gah! But Rachel, you’re amazing; it’s your dream role, why? You’ve only been there…” she shot him a look and held up her hand to tell him to be quiet. “Sorry” he mouthed; Blaine stifled a giggle and reached his hand out to pat Kurt lightly on the arm.

“I am going to be leaving Wicked because I am going to be having a baby”

Blaine’s face broke into a huge grin and Kurt’s eyes began wide-eyed and teary almost immediately. “You mean you’re…you’re?” Kurt bit his lip in disbelief and shook his head slightly.

“That’s amazing. Rachel. I’m so so happy for you, come here!” he jumped out of his seat and ran to the other side of the table and hugged the girl tightly. When he pulled back from the hug, he placed his hands on her belly in absolute awe.  “I can’t believe you’re going to be a mommy!” he whispered.  “Me neither” she answered, tearing up herself.

“And you! You’re going to be a father! YOU!” he practically shouted with happiness at Finn, wrapping him in a large hug as well. During the brotherly hug, Blaine stood up from his place and moved to kiss Rachel on the cheek and give her a hug as well.

She sat pondering what had just happened. Auntie Rachel was having a baby that meant she would have a … a “cousin?” she wondered aloud.

The four adults all turned to stare at her a moment. “Yes, Lizzie, this baby will be your cousin.” Rachel said, bending down so she was at eye level with the girl. “I know you will be an awesome older cousin and you will help me be a good mommy”

Elizabeth smiled and said “You’ll be a great mommy Auntie Rachel, you’re already an amazing auntie” Rachel didn’t know how to answer so she just reached out to hug the little girl.

“Which brings us to the next order of business” Finn said, placing his hands on Rachel’s shoulders once she had stood up. “Obviously, Kurt, Blaine, you are the babies’ uncles, but we would also like you to be the godfathers.”

Blaine looked over at Kurt and said “Yes, yes, we would be honoured. Thank you so much!” Kurt was jumping up and down with excitement at this point.

7 months later.

“Kuuuuuuuuurt” Rachel called from the couch.

“What?” he snapped back – as much as he loved the girl, if she was a diva when she wasn’t pregnant and hormonal, then he was beginning to think she resembled some kind of harpy now.

“I’m sorry” she said. “I didn’t mean to shout at you, but you need to come here right now.” He rolled his eyes, guessing she would be demanding food or another drink again and carried on reading his book in the kitchen.

“Kurt, please” she said softly. His face contorted but he stood up and made his way slowly to the living room where she was sat. Her hands were placed on her now rather obvious bump and she was smiling. “Come here” she reached out one of her hand’s and he took hold of it.

She guided him to one spot on her stomach and he felt a prick of firm pressure against his hand. It returned once or twice more. “Is that the baby?” he said, in awe. Rachel nodded. The baby had kicked before but every time it had happened, Kurt hadn’t been around to feel it. Now he felt like a full part of the baby’s life. “Lizzie” Kurt called softly. The little girl came running into the room from upstairs.

“Yes Daddy?” she said. Kurt motioned her to come forward and placed her hand where he was. The baby kicked once more. “Is that my baby cousin?” she said happily, her features breaking out into a huge smile. Rachel leant her head back against the sofa in delighted content and Kurt placed an arm around his friend. “Sorry for not coming straight away” he whispered, leaning his head against hers.

“I’m sorry for snapping, you’ve been an angel throughout all of this Kurt. Thank you. You’re a good friend.”

2 months later

Kurt, Blaine and Lizzie were at home, Kurt and Blaine were playing ‘Cheat’ and Lizzie was colouring in a picture happily.

“Ha, I win!” Blaine said, placing his cards onto the table, facing upwards.

“Damn it. You are cheating at a game where you are meant to actually cheat …you…you …cheater!” Kurt said in frustration, folding his arms.  Blaine simply smiled and asked if they should play another round.

“No, because you keep beating me!” Kurt said, laughing. “I say we play Snap or something. That way I have a chance…” he was cut off by the phone ringing.

“We will continue this later” winking at Blaine, picking up the phone receiver, “Hello?”

“Kurt? It’s Finn” his tone was urgent and he sounded breathless.

“Hey, what’s the matter?”

“Rachel…she ….baby …”

“Finn, you forgot some verbs there, is everything okay?”

“Baby on way now!” his brother practically shouted down the phone.

“WHAT?!” Kurt exclaimed.

“Get to the hospital now Kurt! Please, I’m freaking out here on my own!”

“Okay, we’re on our way. Need me to call Carole and my Dad?”

“Yes, oh god, Rachel’s shouting me again. Hurry!” the phone line went dead.

Blaine had jumped to his feet and Lizzie was staring at her father’s in confusion.

Blaine raised his eyebrows and simply just said “Baby?” Kurt nodded; he was still slightly in shock. Blaine ran upstairs to grab some stuff they may need for the next few hours. Elizabeth tugged on Kurt’s sleeves. “Daddy, what’s happening?”

“I think you’re about to meet your baby cousin!”

The three drove to the hospital within about 20 minutes and they found Finn sat on a plastic chair outside a room, biting his knuckles nervously, his foot tapping on the floor impatiently. “Finn!” Kurt called, tapping his shoulder, startling the man. Finn jumped up and hugged Kurt tightly. “Whoa, what was that for?” Kurt said, hugging him back.

Finn swallowed and replied “Just needed a hug”, smiling weakly. Blaine placed a hand on Finn’s arm and gave him a squeeze of comfort. “How is she?” Blaine asked, nodding his head towards the door of the room. “She’s getting there. No problems. Yet” Finn answered with pauses between each sentence. “Can Elizabeth see her before the baby gets here?” Kurt asked. “I’m not sure she wants to witness the actual birth.” Finn pushed open the door slightly, speaking softly “Rach? Can Lizzie come and talk to you?” Kurt heard a mumble of agreement. “Go ahead, Lizzie” Finn said, smiling at his niece.

“Be quiet okay Liz? Auntie Rachel is probably in pain and rather tired” Blaine said, pushing his daughter forward. Lizzie nodded.

“Hey sweetie” Rachel said quietly, she was sat up on the bed, in a hospital gown, her normally flawless black hair was tied back in a loose ponytail and her face was make-up less. “Hello” Lizzie offered her auntie a big smile. “You okay?” Kurt bent down to kiss the top of Rachel’s head. Blaine reached forward to hold her hand while Kurt spoke to her. “I’ve been better. You know, when they say childbirth is hard, they really mean it. I’m not even at the difficult bit yet and I’m already exhausted.” She answered; shifting slightly, as if anyway she sat was causing her a great deal of discomfort.

“Is my cousin being bad already?” Elizabeth asked innocently, giving her auntie a questioning look before hopping onto the foot of the bed, rocking it slightly.

“Lizzie, careful!” Blaine scolded, looking apologetically at Rachel.

She just smiled and said “It’s fine Blaine, leave her be. No Lizzie, they aren’t being bad, it’s just painful. I’ll be okay soon enough I promise you darling”

Lizzie placed a gentle hand on Rachel’s stomach before whispering to the bump “Hurry up. I want to meet you soon!” The three adults all chuckled softly, before Rachel’s face contorted and her grip on Blaine’s hand suddenly becoming a lot tighter. Lizzie jumped off the bed into Kurt’s arms.

“Owwwww” she cried out in pain. Finn rushed into the room hearing his wife’s cries. Blaine looked scared to death but he held her hand all the way through the contraction, his expression trying to be encouraging. Kurt murmured words of comfort to her, while he pushed Lizzie towards Finn. “We’ve got it for a while Finn, take her somewhere. Please. You need a rest, she’ll distract you” Kurt said, looking his brother in the eye. Finn nodded and held out his hand for Lizzie. “Shit” Rachel whispered once Lizzie had left the room.

“its okay guys” she said after a minute. Her face relaxed and she let go of Blaine’s hand, who immediately began to rub it quickly. “Sorry” she said, laughing weakly.

“It’s fine, who needs circulation?” he said, nursing his hand but he winked at her all the same.  

“Thank you” she leant back into her pillows, her eyes closing. “You two go be with Lizzie, get some food or something. I’ll be okay” Blaine nodded and stood up.  But Kurt made a noise of protest. “Rachel, I’m staying. I promised you in high school, I would be by your side. I’m staying here” Blaine didn’t want to interrupt the friend’s moment so he went round the other side of the bed and kissed Kurt on the cheek briefly. “Want a coffee?” Kurt nodded, whispering thanks to his husband.

2 hours later.

It was around 8 ‘o’ clock now, Elizabeth was flagging. Her head was laid in Blaine’s lap, he was stroking her hair gently and her feet were resting on Kurt’s lap. Rachel’s contractions had been getting worse and the nurse had informed Kurt that she was nearly ready for delivery.

Blaine’s free arm was draped around Kurt, who was leaning on his shoulder. Kurt hadn’t said anything in about an hour. “She’ll be okay, Kurt.” Blaine whispered to him.

Kurt sighed. “I know she will, it’s Rachel, when does she not come out on top? I’m just worried. This is the first time I have seen her scared” Blaine turned his head to kiss Kurt’s forehead.

“But we both know what it is like to be a parent. Magical, right? We also both know what an amazing mother she is going to be. And you’ve seen Finn with Lizzie. He’s fantastic. All three of us – you, me and Lizzie are all going to be there for them”

Kurt nodded slowly. “You’re right. You’re always right. Why are you always so wise about these things?” he said, laughing slightly.

Blaine just smiled.

Then all of a sudden, a scream came from Rachel’s room. Elizabeth snapped her eyes open alerted by the noise. Kurt jumped up and went to aid his friend. Lizzie went to follow him but Blaine held her back. “Stay here Liz” he said, softly.

For the next ten minutes, it was hard to ignore the screams of pain and discomfort coming from the room. Blaine started to pace up and down the hallway nervously. “Is she okay?” Elizabeth said quietly.

“She will be Lizzie. It’s okay sweetheart” Blaine said, holding out his arms for her to hug. She buried her head into his shoulder to try and drown out the screams when they stopped. After a pause, there came a small wail. Blaine couldn’t hold back any longer and he burst into the room to be greeted with an image of Rachel holding a tiny fragile baby in her arms, tears streaming down her face. Kurt walked over to his family and hugged Blaine tightly. “It’s a boy. It’s a boy” he said happily. “He’s healthy and oh he’s so beautiful”

Finn took the baby off his wife and immediately began to cry as well. “Hello, baby. I’m your daddy. I’ve only just met you. But I love you okay?” he kissed the baby’s forehead. He noticed Lizzie staring up at him in wonder. “And this is your cousin Elizabeth. But she likes to be called Lizzie. Say Hey” Finn sat on the armchair in the corner of the room and motioned for Lizzie to come towards him.

“Hello. I’m Lizzie. I’m gonna be the best cousin ever” Lizzie continued to introduce herself to the baby while Blaine went to hug Rachel congratulations.

Kurt looked at Finn and asked with his eyes if he could hold the baby. Finn nodded but he looked like he didn’t want to give the baby up. Kurt smiled down at the peaceful baby in his arms; his eyes were brown like his mother’s. “Now, I’m your Uncle Kurt. And this is your Uncle Blaine” Blaine had wandered over to him to rest his chin on Kurt’s shoulder. “Now, your daddy said this to Lizzie when she was born so we will say it to you now. If your mommy and daddy ever don’t spoil you, you come to us okay?” Kurt said laughing. Blaine added “And if Uncle Kurt ever tries to force you into wearing scarves you come to me” Kurt shot Blaine a dirty look but he couldn’t stay mad.

Rachel suddenly said “Remind me to ring Quinn and tell her she is a pure saint for going through that when she was only 16” then she yawned and gestured for Kurt to pass the baby back to her. “Hello honey” she murmured.

Kurt looked over the room – he had his amazing husband with an arm around his waist, he had his beautiful daughter sitting on his brother’s knee who was married to his best friend and to top it all off he now had a gorgeous new baby nephew. Yes. Kurt was happy.