Kurt was still in bed after a full night of trying to keep Joey calm. The six month old had been up all the night, unable to settle and whining pitifully. The sun had just been coming up when Joey had completely tired himself out. Kurt crawled in next to Blaine, who hed allowed to sleep through everything because he had exams for the whole week and Kurt wanted Blaine to do his best. He wouldnt be able to do that if he were sleep deprived.

Blaine left Kurt sleeping when he got up the next day for school, not even knowing that Kurt had only gotten to sleep an hour beforehand. But Blaine had seen how tired his boyfriend looked and had left him there in bed with just a slight kiss to his forehead, to make sure he didnt wake him up.

Blaine checked in on Joey, who like Kurt was completely tuckered out. Joey wore a frown on his face as he slept which Blaine found a little comical. As usual though the little boy looked adorable.

“I love you little man.” Blaine whispered.

XXXX

At about midday Kurt woke up to desperate cries sounding over the baby monitor. He scrambled out of bed, wondering how the hell he had slept so late. Tripping down the hall, he got to Joeys nursery. The little boy was sat in his crib, his face red with tears rolling down his cheeks. When he saw Kurt walk into the room, he raised his little arms showing that he wanted his daddy.

Kurt immediately checked his diaper, changing it when he noticed it was heavy. He went downstairs and got Joey breakfast. The house was empty, everyone having gone to either work or school by now. It was still a little bit lonely, being left by himself all day while everyone else was out. Sure Kurt had Joey for company but the conversations were almost always one-sided, unless Joey answered him with a gurgle or giggle.

Joey quietened as he fed, his eyes staring up at Kurt as he suckled at his bottle.

“Is this what you wanted? Were you just hungry?” Kurt smiled down at Joey.

After Joey was finished, having drunk the whole bottle of formula, Kurt held him up to burp him. Joey hiccupped twice before all of his breakfast was vomited back up all over Kurt. Joey let out a loud cry and began bawling his eyes out.

Kurt tried everything he could think of to try and calm Joey down while simultaneously trying to clean up the mess that had been made. He checked Joeys temperature and saw that it was a little bit high, nothing to concerning. He left Joey so he was just in his nappy after changing him out of the dirty ones in an attempt to lower his temperature.

After an hour Joey was still crying and getting more stressed out by the situation and Kurt couldnt deny that he felt the same way. In fact a cry sounded like a pretty good idea.

Kurt hastily wiped tears out of his eyes before he hastily got Joey into one of his sleeper suits. He then grabbed Joeys baby bag and his car keys. He walked outside with a still crying Joey in his arms. Kurt strapped the red faced baby into his car seat and headed for the hospital. He just didnt know what else to do.

XXXX

When Kurt arrived at the hospital he went straight to the reception desk to ask for Carole. It tended to make things quicker and he trusted Carole to get Joey the help that he needed.

It took five minutes for Carole to appear, during which Joey was still sobbing. The disgusted glares that kurt got made him want to rage at everyone in the waiting room. He really wasnt in the mood for their judgement today.

“Kurt, honey. Whats the matter?” Carole asked, taking Joey off of him, seeing that he was clearly stressed.

“He wonts stop crying. Hes been like it since he woke up today and all that he ate he threw up. I dont know what to do! I dont know whats wrong with him!”

“Okay, sweetie. Lets get you some forms to fill in while I chase up a paediatrician. Ill take Joey with me so that you can calm down a little.”

Kurt just nodded tiredly. He was exhausted. Carole got him the forms and sat him down in a chair in the waiting room. He placed a kiss on Joeys forehead before Carole whisked him away.

Kurt filled out all the relevant information on the forms before ringing Blaine. He knew that Blaine would be in an exam right now so he left him a message on the voicemail, letting Blaine know where they were. Hed tried to be as reassuring as possible but he knew that Blaine would hear that message and immediately rush to the hospital. They had yet to have any medical emergencies come up with Joey so this was a completely new situation for the young parents.

Carole came back as he finished the paperwork. “Joey is with the doctor now. Come on through, sweetheart.”

Kurt followed Carole. Hed been grateful for the reprieve hed got from Joeys continuous crying but he was desperate to see his baby and make sure that he was okay.

He walked into the doctors office where Joey was being held by one of the nurses, a friend of Caroles. Joeys cries had quietened dawn and he was sucking on his pacifier.

“Mr Hummel, I presume?” the doctor smiled at him.

“Yes. Is Joey okay?” Kurt motioned to ask if he could pick him up.

The doctor nodded and waited until Joey was securely in Kurts arms before they said anything more.

“Joey has an ear infection. Its nothing too serious but it can be painful and annoying which is why Joey hasnt been much of a happy bunny.”

“So what can we do to make it better?”

“Hell need ear drops twice a day. Itll take a little while to clear but hell be fine.”

Kurt smiled gratefully before another question came to his head.

“He was sick earlier, after his breakfast. Is that linked to this?” He asked worriedly.

“Im sure thats nothing to worry about. The little guy probably got himself into such a state. The best thing to do is to keep everything as calm as possible while the ear drops takes effect. Young infants react to the emotions shown by their parents.”

“And then Joey will be okay?” Kurt asked, needing the further clarification.

“Hell be perfectly fine.” the doctor reassured again.

Gratitude poured out from Kurt as he took the prescription from the doctor. He;d been really worried, thinking that something serious had happened. He was so much more relaxed now that he knew what was going on.

He went to the pharmacy, which was in the front entrance of the hospital. He juggled Joey on his hip as he paid for the medication. Joey had tired himself out and was falling asleep with his cheek rested against Kurts shoulder.

Kurt was making his way to exit the hospital when Blaine burst through the doors, looking around wildly. When he spotted Kurt he immediately rushed over to him, his eyes focused on Joey.

“I got your message. Whats wrong? Is he okay?” There was panic in Blaines voice and he looked frazzled.

Kurt passed Joey over to Blaine. The boy gave a little grunt but otherwise stayed asleep. Blaine checked him over for any injuries before looking to Kurt for an explanation.

“Its an ear infection. The doctor gave me some medication to give to him. Hes going to be fine.”

Kurt didnt say much of anything else because he was dead on his feet. All he wanted to do was take a nap.

Luckily Blaine seemed to notice. He gave Carole his car keys, so she could drive his car home. He took Joey and Kurt over to Kurts car and drove them all home. When they arrived home he tucked them both into bed and Kurt quickly joined Joey in slumber. The both of them had had a long and stressful day and they deserved a nap.