Kurt snapped his gaze over to the door and then sighed. He would have liked nothing more than to go and make something for the tiny angel standing haloed in the light from the hallway, and bring a smile to her lips to make the angel appearance even more real. He loved making food for his little girl, loved to see her find her own tastes, to try and argue with him when she thought she didn't like something, and then feeling that surge of delight when he proved to himself that once again he knew his own daughter better than she did herself when she ended up devouring whatever was set before her.

"Baby, why don't you ask Aunt Rachel to make you something?" he asked gently instead, and watched as she cocked her head to the side, her curls spilling across her shoulder, and he felt his breath catch, as it always did, when he really acknowledged that he had made this beautiful, perfect, precious being before him.

"Is Mommy sick, Daddy?"

His breath caught once more, for another reason entirely, as he glanced down at the girl in his arms. It had been over an hour since he had carried her back to the dorms, surprising himself with his strength, as well as the rest of the squad if the looks on their faces when he'd lifted her from the ground had been any indication. That Santana girl that Noah was dating had looked more than a little perturbed that apparently Kurt could break through Brittany's shock when she could not, but from what he knew of her, he figured she just wasn't used to situations that she couldn't take over and fix.

It had taken Kurt less than a minute to see what it was that Brittany had seen.

Aside from her fellow cheerleaders, there had been a young man, noticeably tall, even from his crouching position, with blonde hair and a concerned smile that Kurt wanted to slap from the man's face. He had reigned himself in, however, as he got closer and saw that though there was an incredible resemblance, the man in question was not Brittany's ex. Sympathy and all, there was a calculating, shifty look on his face that the other man never had, and the boy--for he really was more boy than man, Kurt thought--looked far too young, as well.

"I don't suppose you would have an older brother named Eddie?" Kurt had bitten out as he shoved him aside, and was faintly pleased to see the boy's eyes widen in shock. He couldn't begin to start calculating the odds, but found in the moment that he didn't really care.

"How--?"

"Never mind. Just keep your face out of cheer practice," he snapped in reply, and when the boy made to protest, he found himself interrupted by the coach that Kurt hadn't even realized was beside him.

"You heard the man, Peter. You're out."

Kurt had gazed at her in surprise, and a strange look crossed her face as she flicked her gaze toward Brittany, and Kurt could only nod at the connection she had made.

"Aunt Sue, you can't--"

"Call me that again, and you're going home, buster. Now get out of my gym!"

Kurt felt himself start to breath again as the boy exited, and he lifted Brittany into his arms. He hadn't said a word, then, only smiled at the coach, and walked out of the gym as the blonde in his arms murmured, "Kurt, I saw Eddie. Help me, Kurt. It hurts, Kurt."

"Kurt?"

He was jolted out of the flashback by the soft voice, and he focused his gaze on the blonde in his arms.

"Brittany. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you--"

"Is Sunny hungry? I can make her something?"

"No, Britt," he shook his head, not fooled at all by the strength she tried and failed to put in her tired voice. "Rachel's going to feed her. Right, Sunny?"

He glanced back up at the toddler, and she nodded slowly, still frowning at the picture the two of them made. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary for Kurt to hold Brittany; they had had several musical marathons in which they did so. There didn't seem to be such a special occasion at this time, though, and despite having slept in the same bed the last week, it was clear that the little girl was a bit confused by the situation, especially considering it was still daylight outside.

Kurt sighed, and reached out a hand to the beautiful child, and couldn't help the smile that crossed his face as she beamed at the clear invitation. She ran across the room and dived onto the bed next to them, and Kurt laughed as she huddled in close to them. His heart warmed at the smile that crossed Brittany's face as she ran her hand over their daughter's curls, and he wished they could just stay like this forever, safe and warm and protected from all the misery that was in this world.

That was more than unrealistic, Kurt knew, as Sunny asked softly, "Are you okay, Mommy?"

Even Brittany understood that the three-year-old wouldn't understand the reminder of the heartbreak she had suffered, and so she smiled, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I'm just a little tired, baby mine."

The child nodded sagely as if she understood, and then asked, "Will you have dinner with me?"

"I don't think I'm hungry..."

"Oh...then will you sing to me before I go get Aunt Rachel?"

"Of course. What should I sing?"

"The lullaby you sang last night?"

"Of course," she smiled gently, and Kurt raised a brow, wondering what she had chosen, and then smiled as she began to sing, even joining in on a harmony.

"They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade."