Two Months Prior

“Ooh, she looks pretty,” Blaine says, pointing to a woman with dark curly hair and bright blue eyes. She looks like a healthy mixture of Blaine and Kurt which is what initially catches his eye.

“Okay, lets see,” Kurt scans her page of details. “Donor #7824: Shes 28, no known illnesses or family history of hereditary diseases. She got her degree in Finance from Northwestern and she works at Goldman Sachs.”

“So shes clearly smart,” Blaine nods. “That sounds promising.”

“Yeah, I like her,” Kurt agrees. “Add her to the list.”

Blaine scribbles down the donor number on the notepad hes balancing on his knee. Theyve nearly filled the entire page but theyre still no closer to making a decision than they had been a week ago. He had no clue that parenthood and surrogacy were so complicated.

“How many does that bring us up to?” Kurt asks.

Blaine does a quick count. “Thirty-seven maybes,” he groans.

“Jesus,” Kurt winces. “How are we ever going to narrow this down?”

“I have no idea.” Blaine scrubs a hand over his face, feeling overwhelmed. “Maybe we should just pull a number out of a hat?” Hes only half kidding. 

“We cant choose the future mother of our child that way, Blaine,” Kurt laughs. “Although it is tempting.”

“Really tempting.”

“Knock-knock,” a voice calls. Rachel pokes her head around the door, having obviously let herself into their apartment with the key Kurt and Blaine gave her in case of an emergency. More often than not, those “emergencies” turned out to be needing last minute fashion advice, wanting to show off a piece of particularly good press she received for her Broadway show, or simply just being too impatient to wait the thirty seconds it would take for her to ring the doorbell and them to answer the door. Blaine doesnt really mind her complete lack of boundaries, but he and Kurt have taken to locking their bedroom door when they have sex after Rachel caught an eyeful of stuff she really shouldnt have seen after one particularly amorous session on the couch.

“Hey Rach,” Blaine greets her. “Whats up?”

“Oh, just in the neighborhood and thought Id stop by!” she trills. “Jesse has a late meeting with the producers at the theater and I didnt really feel like spending the night alone. I brought champagne!”

“What are we celebrating?” Kurt asks, dragging his focus away from the egg donor catalogue for the first time all evening.

“I just had a little proposal for you guys,” Rachel begins cryptically.

“Proposal?” Kurt eyes her suspiciously.

Rachel takes a seat in the armchair across from them. Shes beaming and Blaine can tell that whatever news she wants to share, its something big.

“So Jesse and I had a little chat over the weekend. We know how much you want to be parents and theres no doubt in my mind that youre going to make the best daddies ever when the time is right...”

Kurt and Blaine take a moment to gaze at one another. Blaine reaches for Kurts hand and squeezes it gently.

“...and I just thought, if youd have me, Id be honored to be your surrogate,” Rachel finishes.

Blaines jaw drops, momentarily too speechless to speak. He and Kurt had spoken about using a surrogate they knew when they first started talking about parenthood. The idea of entrusting a total stranger with their childs life was a huge leap of faith and not one that would come easily to either one of them. The only problem was that Kurt was an only child and Blaine only had Cooper, so there was no sister they could press into service. Quinn and Rachel were the only friends they felt close enough to even consider asking. But with Quinn on the west coast, it just wasnt feasible. And Rachels career had skyrocketed over the past few years and theyd assumed she wouldnt be able to take off the time necessary to carry a baby to term.

Kurt is the first to speak. “Rachel, are you serious? What about your show? You just got nominated for a Tony, for gods sake!”

“Exactly, Ive achieved the pinnacle of my career. I dont think its going to get any better than this. So if there was ever a time to slow things down a little and do something for my friends, my best friends, its now,” Rachel says resolutely.

Blaine looks at Kurt, his eyes welling with happy, overwhelmed tears. “Were going to have a baby,” he hiccups.

“Is that a yes?” Rachel squeals.

Kurt opens and closes his mouth several times but no sound comes out. “I...” he breathes. Finally, he just nods, too speechless for words.

Blaine throws his arms around Kurts neck, crying with excitement and relief. Within seconds, Rachels across the room and enthusiastically adding herself to the group hug.

“Thank you, thank you,” Kurt babbles over and over. Its the first day he actually lets himself believe hes going to be a father.

Implantation Day

“Okay everyone, here we go,” the doctor announces. He adjusts the monitor so Kurt and Blaine will be able to see their embryos once theyre transferred. It seems impossible to Blaine that human life could come from something quite so tiny and fragile.

“You okay, Rachel?” Blaine asks as she squeezes his hand.

“Yeah,” she whispers back. “Just nervous. Excited, but nervous.”

“Dont forget to breathe,” Kurt reminds her as he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Good advice all around,” the doctor agrees. “Everyone think happy thoughts. This is a big day.”

Kurt and Blaine keep all their focus on the monitor as the doctor gets started with the procedure. Theyve both been thoroughly briefed on the technicalities of whats being done. It all makes Blaine a bit squeamish, if hes being honest, and hes not even the one having his body invaded. But Rachel is taking the whole thing like a trooper, barely complaining about the months of daily injections it took to prepare her eggs. Jesse had been with her for the egg retrieval process since that had been the most invasive and potentially dangerous step in the IVF process. To everyones great relief, shed recovered quickly and easily and theyd managed to retrieve five healthy eggs for fertilization. Today two of the healthiest embryos are being implanted.

“Okay, here comes the potentially uncomfortable part,” the doctor warns.

Rachel squeezes Blaines hand hard and winces a little but doesnt make a sound.

“Youre doing great, honey,” Kurt encourages, stroking her hair.

“Bad parts over now,” the nurse soothes a minute or so later. Everyone in the room breathes a sigh of relief.

The doctor points to two small, round blobs on the monitor. “Those are your embryos, safe and sound.”

Kurt turns so he can share the moment with his husband, Blaine swallows hard against the lump in his throat, overcome with excitement and fear and hope in equal measure. “Safe and sound,” he repeats, praying it will be true.

Two Weeks In

“Is it too early to go over there?” Blaine worries as they step out of the cab. “I dont want her to hate us for interrupting her beauty rest.”

Kurt sighs and glances at his watch. “Its 7:30 which isnt that bad. Rachels always been an early riser. Im sure shes already up.”

“I feel like were already asking her for so much. Shes been amazing, I just dont want her to grow to resent us, you know?” Blaine is practically vibrating with anxiety.

That thought stops Kurt short. “Shit, do you want to wait an extra hour?”

“No,” Blaine whines. “I think if I have to wait another minute I might die!”

“Me too,” Kurt manages. “Im a wreck.”

Blaine takes a deep, steadying breath. He reaches for Kurt and takes his free hand. “Then lets do this now before we lose our nerve.”

Kurt nods and they walk up the front steps and hit the buzzer to be let into Rachel and Jesses penthouse apartment.

Jesse answers the door on the first ring, fresh out of the shower but already up and dressed to start his day. Kurt and Blaine breathe twin sighs of relief.

“Hey boys, took you long enough!” he teases.

“Wait really?” Blaine is confused. “We just didnt want to be rude and wake you up at the crack of dawn.”

“Oh please, Rachel is just anxious as you to find out if the IVF took. Possibly more anxious, if such a thing is even possible. Shes been up since 5:30 this morning pacing around the apartment. I told her she had to wait for you to get here to take the test but shes really antsy. Consider yourselves warned.” Jesse gives Blaine a pat on the back and leads them towards the bedroom where Rachel is waiting.

“Finally!” she cheers the second she lays eyes on them. “Did you bring the test?”

“Yeah,” Kurt nods, holding up a bag from the local drugstore. “We werent sure which brand was best so we just got one of each.”

“Okay wonderful, lets get this show on the road,” Rachel claps her hands together. “Ive already had two glasses of orange juice this morning so I have to pee like a racehorse.”

“Good to know,” Kurt laughs as he hands her the bag of pregnancy tests.

“Does it matter which one I start with first?” she asks as she digs through the half dozen or so boxes in the bag.

“Here,” Blaine offers, taking the bag from her. He pulls out a small pink and blue box labeled Clearblue Easy Plus. “The pharmacist at the drugstore said this was their highest selling one, so I figured its probably pretty accurate.”

“Great,” Rachel smiles encouragingly as she takes the test from him. “Im going to go in there and do my business really quick and then you guys can join me and well start the timer, okay?”

Kurt and Blaine nod in unison, too nervous for words.

“Deep breaths, boys! I have a really good feeling about this. I swear Im bloated already.” Rachel disappears into the bathroom with a wave.

The three minutes they have to wait for the test results to appear are without a doubt the longest three minutes of their lives. Kurt passes the time pacing the length of the bathroom while Blaine and Rachel hold hands and try to keep breathing. When the timer Blaine set on his phone goes off, all three of them jump a mile. They decide to let Rachel do the honors and look at the test since Blaines pretty sure hed throw up if he had to tell everyone the news. Jesse joins them in the bathroom, taking Rachels hand as they pick up the test together. Before they even read the results out loud, Blaine knows its good news. He can read the shock and delight written all over Rachels face.

“Youre going to be daddies!” Rachel squeals, holding up the test that unmistakeably reads pregnant.

Kurt grabs Blaine with such force it nearly knocks him off his feet. He throws his arms around Kurts neck, holding on for dear life as they jump up and down together. Rachel and Jesse are celebrating in their own way as Jesse holds her close, stroking her still flat stomach reverently.

Kurt pulls back so he can look into Blaines eyes. He wipes the happy tears from his cheeks before kissing him sweetly. “We did it,” he whispers against Blaines lips as they part.

“We did.” Blaine isnt sure if hes laughing, crying, or both.

“Oh my god, Rachel, thank you!” Blaine adds as he starts to come back to his senses. He envelops her in a long hug, eyes welling with grateful tears. He watches Kurt do the same thing with Jesse, knowing that hes making almost as big a sacrifice as Rachel in order to realize their dreams. After a minute or two, they swap and Blaine hugs Jesse, thanking him profusely for everything again.

When they finally all come up for air, Jesses are the only dry eyes in the room. “Ill go grab the tissues,” he laughs as he looks at their teary faces.

“I would suggest we celebrate with mimosas but it looks like I wont be drinking for the next nine months,” Rachel says as she wipes her eyes.

Blaine feels his stomach lurch unexpectedly at the thought. Thats his baby in there and everything Rachel eats or drinks or does will affect its growth. The idea is so overwhelming that he needs to sit down.

“Right, no mimosas but we brought bagels,” Kurt offers. “They are out in the kitchen, if youre hungry?”

“Starving, actually!”

“Are bagels healthy enough?” Blaine cant help but ask. “I should have done more research on prenatal nutrition already, crap. Theres so much I dont know.”

Kurt takes Blaines hand in his. “Weve got time. Deep breaths, B.”

Blaine spends the first half of their impromptu breakfast on his phone, needing to be sure that he knows enough to ensure his fetus isnt accidentally poisoned mere weeks into its development. It turns out bagels are an excellent meal for a mother-to-be since they are made up of bland carbohydrates which tend to trigger morning sickness the least. But Blaine tells Rachel to forgo the lox toping since certain kinds of fish can contain high levels of mercury. He also cautions against a poppyseed bagel since apparently they can contain trace levels of opium? Blaine nearly fell off the barstool in shock when hed read that. The idea that the normal foods they consume on a daily basis can be toxic death traps for his future child is making his head spin and wonder what other dangers he needs to guard Rachel against. He knows hes going to spend the next nine months in a frantic Wikipedia surfing, baby proofing frenzy.

 Twelve Weeks In

Blaine and Kurt hold hands in the waiting room, trying to focus on the positives and not dwell on the negative possibilities. Today is a big day, without a doubt the biggest theyve faced as new parents to be. Right now they are waiting while Rachel gets changed into a gown and settled in the ultrasound suite before they will join her for the very first glimpse of their baby. Its been a long twelve weeks to wait to see their little miracle, especially given the difficult decision they made not to share that they are expecting until Rachel reached the end of the first trimester. Since most miscarriages happen early on, they know that making it until now without any signs of distress is a very good omen. But still, its hard not to worry something could go wrong. Theres always the chance that there could be a fetal growth or developmental anomaly. Since two embryos were transferred, theres also the possibility that Rachel could be expecting twins which would make for a high risk pregnancy with its own unique set of possible challenges and complications.

Blaine was cut off from WedMD, BabyCenter, and Wikipedia two weeks ago after Kurt found him in the living room hunched over his laptop at 4 am crying over possible teratogen exposure. Since then, Kurts been put in charge of baby research and Blaine confines his daily readings to What to Expect When Youre Expecting and a few parenting books hed ordered off of Amazon. Hes felt a little calmer since then but that doesnt keep him from texting Rachel several times a day to check on how shes feeling, what shes eating, and how shes coping with the morning sickness.

“Okay, you two can join me now,” an ultrasound technician calls to them as she opens the door to the back of the clinic. Kurt and Blaine join hands and follow her down a long hallway and into a small, dark room. Rachels laying on an exam table in a pink paper gown. Off to her right side is an ultrasound machine hooked up to a monitor. The technician sits down on a small stool next to Rachel and begins adjusting the machine to her specifications.

“Are you guys the fathers?” she asks. “Rachel was just telling me how shes the surrogate.”

“Yes, we are,” Kurt smiles nervously.

“Is this your first ultrasound?” she asks.

“It is,” Blaine nods. “Were so excited.”

“Nervous too, in case you couldnt tell,” Kurt adds. Blaine squeezes his hand a little and wills them both to breathe.

“No need to be nervous, were just going to take a peek at your little one and see how he or she is getting along.” The technician pulls up Rachels gown to expose her stomach. Shes just beginning to show the tiniest hint of bump thats barely noticeable under her stage costumes. Starting next month, Rachel will be going on hiatus from Jane Austen Sings and allowing her understudy to take over. Shes still planning to do some acting work here and there, but nothing quite so taxing as a starring Broadway role that requires her to sing and dance through eight grueling shows a week. They are all looking forward to her getting the chance to put her feet up and slow things down for a while.

“We wont be finding out the gender today, right?” Blaine asks. Hes already pretty sure of the answer from his research but likes the reassurance of having a professional agree.

“Thats correct. We cant really reliably determine that until about twenty weeks along. When you leave today, well schedule a time for that ultrasound.” She turns back to Rachel. “Sorry, this gel is a little cool,” she warns as she begins to smooth the ultrasound wand over her stomach.

Kurt and Blaine slowly inch their way closer to the monitor, not wanting to miss a single second of the experience. Blaine takes Rachels hand because he feels like he should. Being able to touch her and know that his baby is inside makes it feel more real somehow and he finds that very comforting. Kurts still holding tight to his other hand and Blaine feels like his heart could possibly burst with all the love he can feel surrounding him. Theyre a family, soon to be made whole by the arrival of this new life.

“Okay,” the ultrasound technician nods approvingly. “Looks like we are going to get some great pictures today because the little one is up and kicking!” She turns a dial and suddenly the room is filled with a fast whooshing noise. “Thats the babys heartbeat,” she says.

Blaine gasps with shock. The babys heartbeat is galloping along, hummingbird fast. It feels as if his own heart is trying to match the beat as it pounds wildly in his chest

“Its so fast,” Kurt breathes, eyes wide with shock as well.

“Thats totally normal,” she reassures. “Average fetal heart rate at this age is between 130-190 beats per minutes. Your babys is right in the middle at 165 which is perfect. Right where we want it to be.”

“Oh my god,” Rachel coos, exchanging excited glances with Kurt and Blaine. “I cant believe it. This is so amazing.”

“Do you have any names picked out for the baby yet? Or nicknames?” the technician asks.

“Weve been calling her Bird or Birdy a lot. Obviously, thats just a nickname since we wouldnt actually name our child that,” Kurt clarifies.

“Well okay then, ready to see some pictures of Little Birdy?”

“Yes, of course,” Blaine chokes out. They all watch the grainy black and white images on the monitor with growing interest. The ultrasound tech repositions her wand several times until the picture starts to come into clearer focus.

“Okay, so this area here is the uterus,” she explains, pointing to the large oval that makes up most of the screen. Inside, theres a smaller circular shape that Blaine can see moving ever so slightly. “And this here is your babys head.” She traces the outline on the monitor. “Down here are Birdys arms. See hows she kinda waving them at you?”

“She is,” Kurt breathes. “Hi,” he whispers to the image.

“And these are Birdys legs down here just kicking away. Probably wont be that long until youll start feeling those kicks,” she tells Rachel.

“Oh my god, I cant wait,” Rachel is wide eyed. “I cant wait for you to get to feel that too,” she adds, squeezing Blaines hand.

“Im going to do a couple of quick growth measurements but everything looks really great so far. Looks like you have a very strong, healthy baby. I dont see any areas of concern. Ill go ahead and print out a few pictures from the ultrasound since Im sure you are ready to have a picture of Birdy to show off to the world.”

“I cant wait to show them to Dad and Carole,” Kurt beams. “They are literally going to die with shock.”

“Im sure Mama and Cooper are going to freak out too. Thats going to be a fun surprise to drop in their laps,” Blaine giggles.

“Okay, all done!” the technician announces. She hands Blaine and Kurt a stack of photos. “Ill help Rachel get up and she can get dressed and meet you out front. We can schedule the twenty week ultrasound at the front desk.”

Blaine and Kurt stumble down the hall, too lost in gazing at the photos of their baby to pay much attention to where they are walking. “I think she has your nose,” Blaine coos. “Assuming thats her nose and not her hand or something. Its kinda hard to tell.”

“Man, you are really certain its a girl, huh?” Kurt asks. “Thats like the tenth time youve said her today.”

“Thats what my gut tells me,” Blaine shrugs. “Ill be happy either way as long as she or he is healthy. Why, do you think its a boy?”

“Im not sure,” Kurt says. “I could go either way.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Okay, I seriously cannot wait another second. Do you mind if I call my dad now and tell him the good news?”

“No, of course not. Weve waited twelve whole weeks. Go for it.” Blaine watches Kurt dial the number and wait impatiently as the call connects.

“Dad?” Kurt says into the phone. “What are you up to right now?” Kurt nods several times, rolling his eyes impatiently while he listens to Burt explain something Blaine assumes is work related.

“Well, Blaine and I have big news for you...” he finally says.

Blaine holds his breath as he watches Kurt pause to draw out the suspense. Hes always had a flair for the dramatic, he thinks with a fond shake of the head.

“I hope you are ready to be a grandpa, because Blaine and I are expecting!” Kurt finally shrieks into the phone.

Blaines eyebrows shoot up as he hears Burts delighted cheer through the phone. He can hear him calling for Carole to share the good news. Blaine looks over to see Kurts eyes welling with happy tears and he throws an arm around his shoulder to pull his husband close.

He detaches himself from Kurt when Rachel breezes through the doorway to the waiting room a few minutes later. “Feeling okay?” he asks her out of habit.

“Of course, Im on cloud nine. How about you, Daddy?” she asks.

“Im so excited I could burst,” he squeaks. “Thank you, Rachel.”

“I told you, silly, you dont have to keep thanking me. Im honored to carry the future Birdy Anderson-Hummel.” She links arms with him. “Did you catch the cheeks on the little one?” she asks, gesturing towards the ultrasound photo. “The three of us sure do make some beautiful babies!”

Twenty Weeks In

“Okay okay, if I can have everyones attention for a moment, Id like to make a toast before we get to the big news everyone is here to find out,” Burt calls to the small crowd of friends and family gathered in Kurt and Blaines apartment. He holds up his glass of sparkling white grape juice and waits until the room quiets down and all the focus is on him.

“When I got the call eight weeks ago from Kurt that I was going to be a grandfather, I was honestly so shocked I could barely speak. And I think as those of you who know us Hummel men well can attest to, we arent lost for words very often,” Burt begins. Theres a rumble of appreciative laughter through the crowd.

“One of the first things I mourned when I realized that Kurt was gay was the idea of the life I wasnt sure hed get a chance to lead. Id always imagined the day Id watch him fall in love, marry the love of his life, and settle down to start a family. When Kurt told me he loved boys and not girls, I was woefully ignorant of how full and happy the life of a gay man could truly be. It seems so silly to look back on it now, because love is love, whether its between a man and a woman, like Carole and I, or two men, like my son Kurt and his husband Blaine. But at the time, I didnt have the knowledge I do now. I wasnt sure if Kurt would find acceptance or love, especially in a place like Lima, Ohio, thats not known for being particularly accepting of those who are different. But I neednt have worried because my amazing, strong, brave son battled through bullying and homophobia and death threats determined not to let the experience change him. He wasnt going to silenced or oppressed. He wasnt going to let anyone tell him that he wasnt worthy of finding true love and acceptance, despite the obstacles put in his path. And thankfully, he was right to be so persistent because he found his soulmate at the time when he needed him most. And Ive never stopped being grateful for you, Blaine, for seeing what others couldnt. For helping my son stand up to those idiots who wanted to beat him down. For recognizing Kurts strength and courage and matching it with your own,” Burt turns to raise his glass to Blaine whos beaming through tears.

“Now, I wont say that Kurt and Blaine have always had the easiest time of it, as Im sure all their high school friends here will agree,” Burt continues, drawing more laughs from the crowd. “Their love was, and Im sure still is, messy and imperfect, like all good things are. But one thing I never doubted was the love they have for one another. And I think Carole and I always knew that that love would carry them through the hard times. We knew they would find their way back to one another eventually. We just had to give them a little push to get there. And now here we are, five years later, with them happily married and getting ready to find out the gender of their first child and our first grandchild.”

“But before we get to the big news, we need to take a moment to recognize two other people who have sacrificed so much to help our family achieve this little miracle,” Burt smiles and reaches out a hand to welcome Carole up to stand beside him. “Rachel and Jesse, Carole really wanted to be the one to express our gratitude, and shes the better public speaker of the two of us by a long shot, so Im going to let her talk now. Just know that everything she says comes from my heart as well.”

Burt puts his arm around Caroles shoulder. She takes a deep breath and begins to address the crowd. “Rachel, from the very first time I met you, I knew you were a force of nature to be reckoned with. It wasnt long before I knew you were going to be part of my family,” Caroles voice begins to shake with emotion. “At first, I thought that you were destined to be my daughter-in-law, and I hope you know that I was honored by how much you loved Finn. You meant the world to him and all a mother wants is to see her son as happy as you made Finn. Sadly, your love couldnt last, but I know a little part of Finn lives on in you, which makes the fact that you are carrying our very first grandchild so very precious.”

Carole stops to wipe her eyes and try to compose herself. “And Jesse, I want you to know how grateful we are for you and how well youve loved and taken care of Rachel throughout these years. We realize that you also made a sacrifice in letting your wife spend nine months carrying someone elses baby. Thats not a sacrifice that any man makes lightly, especially when the health of his wife is at stake. Thank you for loving Rachel enough and for loving Kurt and Blaine enough to make that sacrifice. You two have helped make my family feel whole again in a way it hasnt since we lost Finn. Of course, nothing can ever replace him, but Im looking forward to this new beginning as a family, because all four of you are our family now.”

Kurt and Blaine are both soggy messes of emotion by the time Carole has finished her speech. Blaine looks over and is not surprised to see Rachel in floods of tears as well. She cries at the drop of the hat these days due to the onslaught of pregnancy hormones. But more surprising is seeing the usually unflappable Jesse St. James red-faced and weeping. “Guess he isnt made of stone after all,” Kurt whispers into Blaines ear, leading him to burst into a slightly hysterical fit of laugh-crying.

They all make their way up towards the front of the room so they can embrace Burt and Carole one by one as their friends clap and cheer adoringly. Once everyone has been thoroughly hugged, Burt silences the crowd once more. “Okay, so whos ready to find out if were having a boy or a girl?” he calls.

“Okay everyone, you were all given a little paddle when you first came into the party today,” Carole adds. “One side is pink and the other is blue. If you think Kurt and Blaines first child will be a boy, hold up the blue side. Otherwise, hold up the pink side.”

Kurt holds his paddle blue side up, drawing an approving nod from Burt who does the same. Blaine and Carole also line up as they are both convinced its a girl. Rachel and Jesse also vote for a girl, while Sam, Tina, Artie, and Quinn are all convinced its a boy. When the final numbers are tallied up, its a near even split: 10 votes for a girl and 9 for a boy.

“Okay, so now the moment of truth!” Burt announces. Kurt and Blaine walk over to the cake platter in the middle of the table. Theyd asked the ultrasound technician to write the babys gender down on a slip of paper and seal it in an envelope. Then that envelope had been delivered directly to the baker who was to dye the inside of the cake pink or blue accordingly. Once they cut into the cake, theyd officially know if they were having a boy or a girl. Blaine felt like he might burst from the suspense.

“3-2-1,” everyone counts down and then Blaine and Kurt are awkwardly pressing down on the cake knife together. They ease the slice out of the cake, revealing the bright pink sponge cake inside. “Its a girl!” Blaine cheers.

“A girl?” Carole gasps happily. “I told you!” she crows to Burt, smacking him on the upper arm.

“A girl?” Kurt breathes, hands shaking as he drops the slice of cake onto a paper plate. “I cant believe it.”

“Are you happy?” Blaine cant help but ask.

“Of course, of course I am. Its just...a girl?!?” Kurt cant help but repeat. Somehow knowing that little detail changes everything and this whole parenting journey just became that much more real.

Eight Months In

“Were here, were here,” Blaine announces as he stumbles into the hospital just after 3 am. “Jesse, where is she? Is everything okay?” he babbles.

“Everythings fine, just take a deep breath,” Jesse reassures him, patting his arm gently. “Wheres Kurt?”

“Hes parking the car. They wouldnt let him leave it outside under the emergency awning even though we tried to tell the security guard this is an emergency,” Blaines eyes are wild and he cant stop fidgeting. “Its too soon. What if the baby is too premature and has breathing problems or needs to stay in the NICU for weeks? I couldnt bear that, oh god.”

“Blaine, Blaine, stop. Just breathe, okay? No one said the baby is coming tonight. Rachel was just having some contractions and when she called the OB, she recommended coming in just to make sure everything was still going well. But Im sure its nothing to worry about,” Jesse soothes.

“Is she back there now? Have you heard anything yet?” Blaine cant help but ask.

“Yes, shes back in the ER now. They wanted to get her settled and then they said theyd let one person go back there at a time to see her. The nurse will come get us when its time.” Jesse leads Blaine over to a quiet alcove in the waiting room. “Come sit down. Theres nothing we can do right now but wait.”

Kurt bursts into the lobby a few minutes later, cheeks pink from the cold and running through the parking lot. “Where is she? Is she okay? Whats happening?” he asks in a rush, every bit as panicked and emotional as Blaine. Jesse quickly repeats the same set of facts to Kurt and encourages him to breathe just as he had commanded Blaine earlier.

“Do you realize you have your shirt on inside out?” Jesse cant help but point out to Kurt. “And Blaine, youve got toothpaste all over your chin.”

“Shit,” Kurt hisses. “We got dressed in kind of a hurry, in case you hadnt figured.”

“Id noticed,” Jesse laughs.

Blaine cant help but look Jesse up and down, noting with no small amount of envy that hes as perfectly coiffed and groomed as ever. “How are you not freaking out right now?” Blaine asks him, almost suspiciously.

“Well, for starters, its not my baby in there,” Jesse answers.

“Yeah, but it is your wifes uterus,” Kurt frowns.

Jesse rolls his eyes. “I guess I just see this as a trial run for the family Rachel and I want to start someday soon. A chance to work out all the kinks and adjust to all the changes that bringing a life into the world provides.”

“Glad we could play guinea pigs for you,” Blaine huffs.

“Hey, thats not fair,” Jesse shoots back. “Do you think its been all fun and games living with a hormonal, over-emotional mess of a wife for these last eight months? Do you think I dont miss the old Rachel every moment of every day? Do you not realize how long its been since weve been able to have sex?”

“Jesse shh, keep your voice down,” Kurt hisses as several people turn to stare.

“Well then, dont act like this only affects the two of you because it doesnt, okay? And for your fucking information, Im terrified too. Im just as scared that something bad will happen and Ill lose the love of my life.” And then Jesses crying.

“Shit,” Blaine gasps, exchanging a horrified look with Kurt.

“Im sorry,” Kurt rushes to apologize. “Were both sorry, we shouldnt have been so hard on you. Of course this is hard for you too. Of course it is.” He tentatively reaches out a hand and places it on Jesses shoulder, unsure if hell accept the comfort or not. Jesse keeps his head in his lap, but makes no move to shrink off Kurts touch. So the three of them sit in silence, marking time only by the ticking of the clock on the opposite wall and Jesses periodic sniffles.

“Im looking for the family of Rachel Berry?” a nurse calls out as she enters the waiting room about twenty minutes later.

“Thats us,” Blaine announces, waving her over. “Is everything okay?”

“Shes resting comfortably now. I can bring one of you back there if youd like to see her and talk to the doctor yourself?” she offers, looking at the three of them as if she cant hazard a guess as to their relationship.

“Jesse, did you want to?” Kurt asks gently. He shakes his head.

“Why dont you go then, Blaine?” Kurt suggests. “Ill stay here with Jesse.”

Blaine nods and slowly gets to his feet, reluctantly prying his hand from Kurts grasp. He follows the nurse down a long corridor and into a treatment room. Rachels lying on a gurney, propped up on pillows. She looks tired but otherwise not a lot worse for the wear. Blaine assumes from the lack of people crowding around her that her condition must not be dire, or at least he hopes thats the case.

“Hey Rach,” he greets her, leaning over to give her a hug. “How are you feeling?”

“Oh fine,” she sighs. “Im sorry if I scared you guys over nothing,”

“What do you mean, nothing? Jesse said you were having contractions? Thats not nothing. Im glad you came to get everything checked out,” Blaine soothes.

“Well, they think I was probably having Braxton-Hicks contractions which are basically false labor. They sure do hurt like the real things though! If I was ever on the fence about getting an epidural, Im not anymore,” she laughs.

“So the babys okay?” Blaine asks, looking to the nurse for reassurance.

“Were waiting for an OB to come down and do an ultrasound just to double check that everything still looks okay,” she explains. “But the babys heart rate is strong and not showing any decelerations and Rachels blood pressure and other vital signs look good. The contractions seem to have quieted down since weve had her here and started giving her fluids.” The nurse gestures to the IV that Rachels hooked up to and Blaine cant help but wince in sympathy.

“That all sounds really good,” Blaine states tentatively. “If all the tests come back normal, then what?”

“We would release her to go home at that point and wed just recommend that she rest more and try to stay well hydrated. You should also call your OB for a follow-up appointment, because she might have additional recommendations or restrictions,” the nurse patiently spells out.

“Thats great,” Blaine sighs in relief. “Thank you so much.” He shakes the nurses hand even though what he really wants to do is give her a huge hug.

“Of course, happy to help. Rachel, if I can get you anything, just hit the call button, okay?”

“Thanks, Rhonda,” Rachel waves as she shuts the door behind them.

“You okay?” she asks Blaine, seeing how badly his hands are still shaking.

“Arent I supposed to be asking you that? Youre the patient after all,” he giggles. “Im okay,” he adds after a minute. “I am now.”

“How are our husbands holding up?” Rachel prods.

“Uhh, not quite as well as us, if Im being totally honest,” Blaine admits.

“Kurts really worried, huh?”

“Jesse too,” Blaine says.

“Really?” Rachel is stunned. “That surprises me. Hes been such a rock this whole time...”

“Well, we might, uh, be partially to blame for his breakdown,” Blaine hesitantly concedes. “He was just so calm and we were so panicked that we might have implied that he didnt really care what happened?”

Rachel winces. “He really does, you know? He cares about you guys so much.”

“And he loves you a ridiculous amount. I know, it was wrong of us to ever suggest otherwise. I feel horrible that we added to his stress,” Blaine cant apologize profusely enough.

“This process is hard on everyone,” Rachel grants. “We all handle the stress in our own ways. But what matters is that your little bluebird is still alive and kicking up a storm in here and were getting so close to the finish line.”

Blaine lets out a breath he didnt know hed been holding. “Yes, thats what counts.”

 Nine Months In

“Everyone smile for the camera and say daddies,” Jesse calls, holding a small GoPro camera trained on Blaine, Kurt, and Rachel.

“Jesse, I swear to god if that camera is still on when my next contraction starts, Im going to break it. Now get over here and hold my hand,” Rachel groans.

“Duty calls,” Jesse laughs and steps over to Rachels bedside. “But dont worry, guys. I got some really great footage,” he adds, looking at Kurt and Blaine.

“Only my husband would insist on directing my birth,” she grumbles to Kurt as he hands her a cup of ice chips.

“He just wants to be involved,” Blaine smiles. “I think its sweet.”

“Easy for you to say when you arent the one sweating like a pig and getting ready to squeeze a bowling ball out of your lady bits!”

“You arent sweating like a pig, Rach. Youre glowing,” Blaine soothes, patting at her forehead this a damp washcloth.

“Ohh, that feels nice,” she sighs appreciatively. “Im so hot.”

“Can I get you anything else, Rachel?” Kurt asks.

“Uhh, maybe another one of those Italian ice thingies? The lemon flavor, thanks,” she smiles.

“Okay, Im on it,” Kurt nods. “Blaine, hold down the fort until I get back from the nurses station?”

Blaine gives him a salute, laughing a little at how much it feels like they are running a military operation.

“Okay Rach, here comes another contraction,” Jesse warns, staring at the printout on the monitor.

Blaine and Jesse both man their respective stations. Jesse lets Rachel grip his hand until his fingers turn white while Blaine holds a small electric fan in front of her face and dabs the sweat from her cheeks and forehead in turn. Blaine and Jesse both find themselves echoing her lamaze breathing unconsciously. Somewhere in the past few hours theyd started to find a rhythm to keeping Rachel focused and as comfortable as possible given that shes nearly dilated to ten centimeters and ready to begin pushing any time now. Blaines just grateful that theyd gotten the hang of things in time to carry Rachel through the worst of the last hour, especially after the setback that her progressing too quickly for an epidural turned out to be.

“Okay, Im back, hows everyone doing?” Kurt bursts into the room a minute or two later, just as Rachel is starting to come down from her contraction.

“Better now that thats over,” she manages breathlessly, utterly spent.

“Do you want a few bites now?” Kurt asks, holding up the frozen treat.

Before Rachel can reply, the OB enters the room. “Well, it looks like someone is ready to start pushing and get this baby out into the world. Is everyone ready?”

Kurt drops the Italian ice on the nearest available surface and rushes over to Blaines side. He takes his hand and they both find themselves willing one another to breathe.

“Yes Dr. Williams, lets get this little missy out of me immediately,” Rachel practically cheers. “Ive had about all the being pregnant I can stand!”

“One more push, Rachel. Shes so close. I can see her head,” Dr. Williams encourages half an hour later.

Rachel moans and crushes Jesses hand. On her other side, Kurt helps support Rachels head and neck as she takes a deep breath and gives one final push.

The whole room goes utterly still and quiet for what feels like the longest moment of Blaine and Kurts life before theres a tiny, wavering cry. Blaine looks down in shock just in time to see the doctor lift up a pink, squirming bundle.

“Its a girl,” Dr. Williams announces as she wraps the baby in a dry towel.

Blaine and Kurt both step forward and take in the downy soft brown curls and pink bow-shaped lips. The baby stretches out one hand and Blaine feels his heart stop because hes certain his daughter is reaching for him. “Do you have a name picked out?” the doctor asks as she carefully hands the baby to Blaine, while Kurt gently strokes her hair. “Clara,” Blaine all but sobs. “Clara Elizabeth Anderson-Hummel.”

“Hi,” Blaine coos, as Clara stirs a little in his arms. “Welcome to the world, little bluebird.”

“Im your Papa,” Kurt whispers reverently to his daughter. “And this is your Daddy.” He carefully guides Blaine and Clara towards the bed. “And over here are your Auntie Rachel and Uncle Jesse,” he adds.

“Oh my god, shes absolutely perfect,” Rachel beams back, utterly exhausted but content.

“Thank you,” Blaine breathes. “Oh god, thank you so much.”

“I couldnt be happier for you two,” she sniffles. “Clara, your daddies love you so much. You are so lucky to have them.”

Kurt stops for a moment to simply drink in his family. He thinks back on the last nine months and the twenty-seven years that came before it. He thinks about the people hes loved and lost, like his mother and stepbrother, though he knows they are smiling down on him right now. Hes never been one for organized religion, but he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that theyve protected and shepherded this new life into existence. Hes just certain of it, down to his very core. He couldnt have imagined things going any better if hed written it all himself.

Finally, he looks back at Blaine still lovingly cradling their baby daughter, singing to her as she yawns and wriggles. The peace and certainty and wholeness that he feels just watching the two people he loves most in the world get to know one another for the first time is so startling, yet so right, he wonders how he ever lived without it. Not wanting to waste another moment without starting his new life, his new role, his new mission, he joins Blaine once more, singing to his daughter until shes falling asleep on his chest for the first time.

Oh, I could hide neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings.
The six oclock alarm would never ring.
But it rings and I rise, 
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes.
The shavin razors cold and it stings.

Cheer up, sleepy jean.
Oh, what can it mean.
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen.