The Hummel-Anderson’s were sat around the dinner table, Blaine was feeding Elizabeth and Kurt was on the phone to Rachel. Or more Rachel was talking down the receiver and Kurt was absent-mindedly stirring the spaghetti round his fork.

“Oh and in other news me and Finn are getting divorced” came Rachel’s voice. Kurt practically spluttered and began coughing violently. “WHAT?” he shrieked down the phone. Sure, Rachel and his brother were a highly incompatible couple but they loved each other!

“See? I knew I weren’t listening!”

“Jesus, Rachel, you nearly gave me a heart attack” Kurt said, his hand on his chest, trying to steady his breathing. Blaine reached over to pat Kurt on the back helpfully.

“Well it serves you right for not listening. This is important to me Kurt! This could be my big Broadway break”

“Yes I know, and I’m so proud of you, I mean, you are down to the final two for the role of Elphaba but it’s all you talk about now Rach!”

Blaine smiled sadly at Kurt’s choice of words, reminding him of their trouble in Kurt’s senior year. Kurt also realised and mouthed ‘sorry’ at his husband. Blaine squeezed Kurt’s hand quickly before turning his attention back to their daughter who was staring intently at the bowl in her father’s hand.

“Rachel, I gotta go, I’ve been neglecting Blaine and Lizzie. Okay. Love you too”

“That girl could talk for America” Blaine said.

“mmm, let alone America, probably the entire Earth” Kurt replied, leaning his chin on his hands, and sighing.

Blaine knew that look. He put down the bowl of…well he wasn’t quite sure what it was, some kind of baby food. To him, it just looked like mush.

“Are you okay?” he asked Kurt, softly.

“I’m fine” Kurt answered, with a small smile – his eyes didn’t light up like normal though, prompting Blaine to raise an eyebrow.

“Really, I’m fine. Okay, I’m a bit jealous. It’s just we both came to New York with dreams of Broadway and she is going to be the one who fulfils those dreams. Not me.”

“Oh Kurt” Blaine stood up and moved round the table to wrap his arms around Kurt. “Baby, you’re so talented, don’t forget that.  I thought you were happy with your job”

“I am, I am, I wouldn’t change it for the world.” – Kurt taught drama at a local high school…and he ran its Glee club – “I love working with the kids, they’re a talented bunch but I sometimes remember why I came to New York and how I never got there. It’s not like I didn’t try, there are just no major roles for a guy like me. “

“I know you tried Kurt, I am ridiculously proud of you for trying. It’s their loss, their musicals would have been made better with you in the cast” Blaine said, comfortingly, kissing Kurt softly on the cheek.

“Thank you” Kurt smiled at him. “Honestly, I’m fine, nothing a kiss wouldn’t make better” Kurt said, winking.

“Well, I’m happy to oblige then” Blaine whispered, leaning down to kiss Kurt firmly, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek.

“Dada” came a small voice.

Both Kurt and Blaine froze, their eyes opening as they both pulled away from the kiss. They turned their heads simultaneously towards their daughter.

“Did she just say what I thought she just said?” Blaine stammered.

“Dada!” Elizabeth said, her little face smiling at them.

“Aw baby!” Kurt cried. “You just said your first word!”

Elizabeth put her head onto one side as if to say ‘Yes I did” before gesturing her hand towards the bowl of food that was resting on the table.

Both Kurt and Blaine burst out laughing.

“The first time she speaks and it’s because she wants food. You can tell she is your daughter Blaine” Kurt said, between fits of laughter.

Blaine chuckled “Or Finn’s niece”  

“Touché” Kurt replied.

Blaine went back to feeding Elizabeth, smiling every time she said Dada again. He wasn’t quite sure she knew its true meaning but for now, he was probably the happiest father alive.