Carnival music danced around Burts head as he rolled onto his back and groaned. The little delighted noises continued to chime. Burt swiped his hand over the night-stand, catching his phone and sending it toppling to the floor. His hopes that the fall had silenced his phone were immediately dashed.

"CIRCUS AFRO POLKA DOT POLKA DOT POL–!"

With a grimace, Burt rolled onto his side and fumbled around until he found the phone on the floor. Evan had taken his phone captive the last time hed been for a visit and changed his ringtone to the ridiculous little jingle. Six months later, Burt still hadnt figured out how to switch it back.

"Hello?" he grumbled, flopping back into the pillows and watching the ceiling fan make its slow rotation overhead.

"Dad, are you seriously still sleeping?" Kurts static-y voice trickled through the line, muffled by the radio and several other voices in the background.

Burt grunted and rolled towards the middle of the bed to glance at the alarm clock. 11:07. It wasnt that late. "Im an old man now, Kurt," he reminded his son. "Im allowed to sleep in."

"Fifty-one is not old, Dad," Kurt chided as Blaine made a noise of agreement in the background.

"Fifty-two," Burt corrected even though his birthday was still three days away. "Over half a century is old."

"Bullshit," Blaines voice said in the background. "Tell him old is when he can start braiding the tufts of hair growing out of his ears. And if he doesnt make it to at least ninety, Ill kill him myself."

There were several laughs in the background . Childrens laughter. His stomach bubbled at the reminder. Several weeks ago, Blaine and Kurt had called him and Carole to announce they were taking in another young boy. Oliver was a few years younger than Evan was now, and rather quiet from all Burt had heard about him in the last few weeks. Today, he and Carole would finally meet him.

"Sounds like the boys are getting along," Burt said after a moment of listening to their delighted voices in the background.

"Yeah–" Suddenly there was a loud, pained groan that Burt connected with Evan. "Oh my god, Evan Michael did you eat that entire bag?"

There was some shuffling static and then Evans voice, loud and squeaky, came through the phone. "But it was just there, Dad. This whole giant bag and it taunted me–"

"Not again," Blaine groaned.

"Kurt?" Burt called, easing himself into a sitting position and rubbing his eyes. "Whats that boy of yours gotten himself into now?"

There was more scuffling, another pained groan, and the crinkling of a plastic bag. "No– Ollie grab that paper one out of the back, just in case," Kurts voice ordered. A few seconds later, Kurt was back on the phone, sounding flustered and irritated. "I might kill him," he grumbled. "You might still only have three grandsons when we arrive instead of four."

"Really?" Burt remarked in amusement. "Whats he done today?"

"Remember last summer when we all went to Ocean City together?" Burt grunted in acknowledgement. "Remember when you took him down to the boardwalk and bought him that enormous box of salt water taffy?"

"And then he ate the entire thing on the walk back?" Burt finished, laughing at the memory. "Hard to forget an afternoon like that. I dont think Ive ever seen a kid quite as impressed with the color of his own vomit."

"Well, were about to have a repeat in the backseat because someone is a glutton," Kurt said, ending on a snappy snarl.

Evan tried to protest, but ended up groaning pitifully.

Another voice, a new one Burt wasnt familiar with, entered the picture. It was high, but scratchy, and drenched in accusation. "Did you eat my Cherry Cola ones, too?"

"I– theyre so delicious, Ollie, I cant stop myself–"

"Youre a swine!"

"Boys!" Blaines voice broke in. "Evan, face in the bag. Ollie, kick him if he doesnt do as I just said."

"But Papa!" Evan hollered in outrage.

"Face in the bag," Kurt demanded. It was clear to Burt that he was gritting his teeth and ready to start snarling again.

"Kurt, its just a car, okay? Kids throw up wherever they throw up," Burt soothed. "When will you guys be here?"

"If our little vomit factory keeps a lid on it, then around dinner time," Kurt said bitingly.

In the background, Burt heard another groan and then the splatter of something against paper.

"Gross!" Oliver shouted. "Put him on the roof or something!"

"Ive gotta–"

"Say no more," Burt said, listening to the chaos as Blaine pulled the SUV over and they all started scrambling out. "Call when youre getting close."

Carole appeared from the connecting bathroom, robe tied around her waist and towel on her head. Burt ended the call and set his phone back on the night-stand.

"Sounds like theyre having quite a road trip," she remarked with a smile.

"You know Evan," Burt agreed. "That boy is just like our three were that last year before college. Eats anything in sight and regrets it later."

"Im so glad we dont have to deal with those grocery bills anymore," Carole said, rubbing her hair dry and sitting down at the vanity. "Blaine and Finn were bad enough their Junior year, but then Kurt started eating three times as much as he was before and–"

"Im still pretty sure that was because of all the sex those two kept sneaking off and having all around the house," Burt said with a frown. Five days a week hed come home to find them tumbling out of a closet or bathroom or the attic. It hadnt taken a genius to figure it out. Tousled hair, wrinkled shirts, and hands scrambling for the waistbands of jeans could only mean so many things.

"He did grow a lot that year," Carole insisted. Over a decade later and she still insisted that the boys hadnt devoted half the house to their urges. His son had grown a lot more the year hed met Blaine and the year prior than he had his senior year. "Broader shoulders and slimmed down a lot more."

It was true, even if Burt had no plans on letting go of his long held suspicions. The boys senior year had been rough for him. Trying to navigate helping three boys plan for college and move to new cities would have been difficult on its own. But trying to figure out his relationship with his sons boyfriend once we moved in had been infinitely harder.

"I still–"

Carole silenced him with a kiss, patted his cheek, and nodded towards the bathroom. "Get showered and dressed so we can go to the store and fill this house up for the boys, okay? Oh, I cant wait to meet Oliver," she added, eyes bright. "Another grandson, Burt. I bet hes wonderful. And we get to meet baby Lee when Finn and Kate get here in a few days. Oh, I bet hes already getting so big, and Jack is three now."

"Oliver sounded pretty upset with Evan over the phone." At Caroles questioning look he added, "Evan ate another huge bag of taffy. Barfing it up as we speak."

Carole rolled her eyes, but smiled just the same as Burt climbed out of bed and went to take a shower.

Oliver glowered at the seat next to him as Evan groaned and buried his head in the five gallon paint bucket theyd stopped off to buy. After an hour of repeated stopping, it had become clear Evans stomach wasnt letting up anytime soon. The wet slap of vomit hit the inside of the bucket again, plopping down into the evidence of Evans last retching feast.

"I take back everything I said," Oliver grumbled, bringing his shirt up over his nose and pinching his nostrils closed. "I dont like having a brother at all."

Evan gagged and poked his sweaty face out of the bucket. "But Ollie–"

"No," he snapped. "Youre filth."

"Im just a little– blargh!"

Oliver grimaced as Evan ducked back down.

"Were almost there, guys, I promise," Kurt called from the front seat. Oliver glanced towards him, watching him fiddle with the GPS as Blaine insisted he didnt need it.

"Kurt, weve made this drive a thousand times, just shut it up," Blaine said, teeth gritted and voice tight. "If it tells me to make one more U-turn on this highway, Im gonna–"

"Turn left in half a mile–"

"Were on the highway coming up on a bridge! There is no left turn!" Blaine yanked the console out of Kurts hand and tossed it back towards Oliver. It tumbled over the back of his seat and down between two of their travel bags.

"Blaine Xavier, if you broke her–"

"Her?" Blaine echoed in disbelief. "You gave that thing a gender?"

Oliver watched them bicker in fascination. The other couples hed lived with had usually ignored each other or had screaming matches once in a while. For whatever reason, he always seemed to get taken in by a pair of hot heads. In the month that hed been with the Hummels, hed never seen Kurt and Blaine snap at each other. Every morning and evening was filled with playful banter, even a few moody snips at each other now and again. Yet each one, without fail, had always ended in bright laughs, toothy smiles, and sweet kisses dotting one of the mens cheeks and noses.

"Just because Id rather use Siri to direct us," Kurt began, but Blaine snarled as he merged onto the exit ramp for a place called Lima.

Oliver watched the street lamps flicker on as they pulled up at the red light off the exit ramp. This was the closest Kurt and Blaine had ever come to a real fight.

"I know how to get back to Lima without some stupid, artificial bi–"

"Turn left onto Colander Avenue," Siris muffled, but crisp, clear voice said from the pile of luggage.

And just like that Kurt and Blaine snorted and started laughing. They still just got each other. It was a welcomed sound with Evans stomach still splattering all over the inside of his big orange bucket.

"You okay, sport?" Blaine asked, glancing over his shoulder as the light turned green.

Evan only groaned and let his hands swing at his sides, forehead pressed against the bucket rim.

"Maybe this time youll learn to not eat so much," Kurt quipped, twisting in the passenger seat as Evan groaned again. He ran his hand through Evans damp curls before looking at Oliver. "You doing okay? I know this hasnt been any fun for you either."

"Ill let you know once Ive finished debating whether smelling it is worse than tasting it," Oliver answered. He shot another glare at the back of Evans head.

"At least you dont have to do both," Evan mumbled.

Kurt patted Olivers knee and sighed. "Ten minutes and youll be free from each other for the night," Kurt soothed. "Dad said he wanted to set up the old tents and camp out in the backyard with you boys. You can lock him out there if you want."

"Hey!" Evans voice echoed around his bucket followed by another gag and more vomit.

Oliver swallowed at the mention of the man who might be his new grandfather. He hadnt missed Kurts conversation with his father earlier. It had been impossible to ignore when Kurt mentioned him having four grandsons now because that four included him.

Finn, Kurts step-brother, was the father of two little boys. Evan talked about the older one, Jack, all the time. Yesterday, hed caught Oliver up on the three-year-olds first steps, cute clapping when he got excited, and his desire to climb the nearest table so he could roll off it. Then there was the new baby, Lee, born only a week and a half after Oliver had found himself with the Hummels. Burt was a grandfather for both of them and Evan, and now, if he was lucky, himself. A grandfather was something Oliver had never had before. The other foster parents had never allowed him to meet any of their parents. Once hed met one womans sister, but shed been more frightening than having a walrus dropped on top of him.

"Youre gonna love him," Blaine called from the drivers seat as he turned off onto another road. Oliver watched a high school flash past his window, just catching the name – McKinley – before it was out of sight. "Burt looks big and gruff and like he might run you over with a beat up old Chevy, but hes a kitten on the inside, Ollie. A big, fluffy orange kitten."

"Im allergic to cats," Oliver deadpanned. One foster house had belonged to a older couple, six foster children all older than Oliver, and several dozen cats that came and went as through the hole in the screen door. Oliver had made it two days before hed ducked out. Hed used the couple dollars hed found in the couch to grab a bus to town to find a payphone to call the Center.

"Its a good thing Evan wants a puppy and not a kitten then," Blaine replied, flashing Oliver a grin in the rearview mirror. "Dont look so worried," he added after a moment. "Evan about had a tic heart attack when he met Burt and Carole, but look at him now. Loves his grandparents to death."

"Except when Pop buys me taffy and destroys all my willpower to say no to its deliciousness ever again," Evan rasped. His head trembled as he looked up from the bucket. "Please, tell me were here. I think my esophagus has shut down and everythings pushing the other way. Oh, Im never eating taffy again." Evan gave a small whimper and stared imploringly at Oliver. "Murder me if I even think about looking at another piece of taffy."

"Would you prefer death by gunshot, gas, pills, or blade?" Oliver returned, his glare losing its sharpness as he took in Evans face. For the last few hours hed refused to look at him. There hadnt been much point with Evans head buried in his bucket. Up close, Evan looked like damp parchment.

"Death by soccer, please," Evan decided, lower lip jutting out. "Youre the best little brother ever."

"Im not sharing a bed, room, or tent with you until your stomachs back under your control," Oliver said flatly.

Evan glared at him as the SUV pulled to a stop in a short, double-wide driveway. Oliver looked out his window as Blaine hopped out in front of him. Theyd stopped at a little two story house. The last rays of sunlight dipped below the roofs across the street.

It was smaller than the Hummels house in Northport, just a little brick cube dropped flat on the lawn. There was a small porch along the right side, ending where the garage connected, with a cute wooden swing hung in front of a large bay window. Oliver took it all in as Kurt and Blaine helped Evan and his bucket out. A tall apple tree swayed at the corner of the yard. There were flower beds of lilacs, daisies, and yellow roses dotted with Disney statues hed never seen the movies for.

"Carole wasnt lying when she said shed gotten into her gardening," Kurt remarked as he came around to Olivers side, big bucket in tow. Oliver grimaced as the contents sloshed around. Blaine and Evan appeared a few seconds later, Evan tucked up in Blaines arms, head resting on Blaines shoulder. It was almost comical to watch considering how big Evan was, but Blaine didnt even stagger under the boys weight.

"Hes getting way too big for that, Blaine," Kurt mentioned as they headed up the porch to the house. He eyed Evans legs dangling down near Blaines knees. "Another six months and hell be as tall as you."

"Oh, he will not," Blaine insisted. "Hes not even five feet. Let me carry one of our boys while I still can."

"Will so," Evan mumbled.

"Blaine," Kurt said in exasperation, "well have a real little baby that you can carry around as much as you want in a few months, so–"

"No," Blaine said. He hoisted Evan up higher and stuck his tongue out at Kurt.

"Papa, I think my butts gonna vomit next. Make it stop," Evan whined.

"No can do, kid," Blaine said, adjusting his weight on his hip as Kurt rolled his eyes. "You can sleep in the bathtub tonight if it keeps up. Well get the big puffy sleeping bag out and everything for you."

"Really?" Evan said, perking up and looking hopeful. "That would be so cool. Ollie, do you want to–"

"No," Oliver said immediately as Kurt knocked. "I am not spending the night in a bathroom with you vomiting from your face and butt."

"Doors open!" a voice from inside hollered. It was deep and gruff, just like Blaine had described. Oliver gulped as Kurt opened the door and led the way in. "Dad, its us!" Kurts voice echoed down the hallway as Oliver glanced around his hip in wonder.

"Were out back!"

Kurt set the huge orange bucket by the front door and dropped down in front of Oliver. "Now just relax and be yourself, okay, sweetie? Theyll love you no matter what." Kurt leaned in and straightened his collar, hair, and glasses. "Honey?" Kurt called as he stood up. Blaine grunted as he adjusted Evans weight again. "One, put him down. Hes thirteen and can walk, vomit factory or not. Two, Im going to go dump the bucket and clean it out, okay?"

Blaine nodded and set Evan down. Oliver watched the other boy dart off towards what he assumed was the backyard. Every sign of sickness had vanished. With another gulp, Oliver stayed where he was, rooted to the floorboards. Kurt plucked the bucket up and disappeared to the other side of the house.

"Its okay, kiddo," Blaine said. His hand settled on Olivers shoulder as he squatted down and mused up his hair. Oliver smiled at the gesture. For every time Kurt combed and arranged each dark strand, Blaine came right behind him and ruffed it up just how Oliver liked to keep it. "Youre not gonna get sick on me, too, are you?"

Oliver shook his head as Evans voice, cracking and squeaking like it had been off and on since theyd met, echoed back towards them.

"Pop! Nana!"

Two other voices, quieter but just as excited, followed.

"Yknow, the first time I met Burt and Carole was in McKinleys parking lot. I said some sh– terrible things then," Blaine admitted, lips quirked somewhere between a grimace and a fond smile. "I guarantee you couldnt make a worst first impressive on them if you tried."

"You must have made an amazing second impression," Oliver said in wonder. Hed heard bits and pieces of Kurt and Blaines college years and even less of their high school days. Each of those tidbits made him think Blaine had been in a lot of trouble as a kid.

"Well, it definitely helped that his son was completely in love with me by that point," Blaine agreed. "Youve got that same advantage on your side. Triple it, since youve got me and Evan, too." When Oliver still twisted his arms, Blaine ruffed his hair again and nodded towards where Evan had disappeared. "Second time I met him was in the living room at their old house. Had a big gash through my eyebrow – thats where I got this scar," he brushed a thumb over the break in his right eyebrow. "I hadnt slept in about four days and smelled like the inside of that bucket."

Oliver crinkled his nose in disgust.

"Yeah, it was bad," Blaine said with a soft laugh. "I was a wreck, Oliver. And Burt still let me in and gave me a second chance. Hes a great, caring guy and the best father Ive ever met. Give him a chance, because I know hell give you one or two or even five or six, okay?"

Oliver nodded as Blaine stood up and allowed himself to be steered into a small kitchen. He didnt bother correcting Blaine about who the best father was. Maybe Blaine didnt count himself because he couldnt meet himself. Kurt was up there on that list, too, though. They must have learned to be so wonderful from Burt.

Blaine led him through the open back door and onto a wooden deck. The house was bigger than hed thought, less of a cube and more of an L-shape with the longer part extending out into the yard. At the end of it the deck dropped off to a pool, lit only by the lights under the surface. Evan was already at the edge, stripping his shirt and shoes off. Something sizzled and the same gruff voice from before spoke.

"Hes not gonna throw up in my pool, is he?"

With a laugh and another squeeze of Olivers shoulder, Blaine let go and stepped towards the couple at the grill. Oliver watched them greet each other, looking over the woman first as Blaine and Burt embraced. She was several inches shorter than Blaine with a handful of gray streaks through her hair and rather plump around the middle. Her face was soft, though, and her smile as bright and kind as the rest of the Hummels.

Burt was different; much like Blaine had described. A worn pair of jeans, an old flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a faded baseball cap with a team logo Oliver couldnt place. Evan would be able to tell him which team it was, but he was splashing in the pool and making a huge racket.

Blaine hugged Carole next, and Burt glanced over towards him. Oliver ducked his head and twisted around until a hand patted his shoulder. It was too large and heavy to be Blaines.

"You must be Oliver."

Oliver glanced up, lower lip sucked between his teeth and met Burts warm gaze.

"Yes, sir," he answered.

"None of that sir stuff, all right? Call me Burt, kid," Burt told him. He eyed the pool for a minute and leaned down a little more. "Ive got a whole box of taffy hidden upstairs if you want some. Way I understand it, a certain thirteen year old ate most of yours."

"I– he nabbed all my cherry colas and cinnamon ones," Oliver admitted. "Kept trying to impress me with his blood colored vomit."

Burt threw his head back then, laughing that same loud laugh that Oliver had heard from inside. It made his stomach settle comfortably in his belly and his shoulders relax. If Burt was laughing then he must like him.

"He did the same thing last time, only it was purple and green then," Burt told him with a grin. "Kept calling it Joker vomit. Kids a loon."

"I am not!" Evan hollered, popping out of the water by the deck. "Come on, Ollie! I cant have a splash war by myself!"

With a loud plop, Evan flung himself backwards and underwater.

"Go on, sweetie," a softer voice encouraged. Caroles smile was warmer than melted chocolate when he looked at her. "Another hour and itll be time to head in for the night."

At Blaines nod, Oliver stumbled towards the pool and striped down to his swim shorts. He watched the trio of adults gather around the grill, smiling and talking as whatever was cooking finished up. That meeting had been easier than hed thought it was going to be. No spitting old people snarling at him for stepping in the wrong place or for breathing louder than necessary. There wasnt even a painful cheek pinch like hed heard some of the other boys at the Center grumble about. Burt and Carole were a lot younger than hed expected them to be; late fifties at most.

"Come on!"

Evans words were followed by a huge wave of water engulfing Oliver and drenching him. Spluttering and ready for revenge for the vomit-filled car ride, Oliver flung himself in after Evan and set to work.

With a last rinse, Kurt grimaced and sat the bucket upside down in the tub to dry out. They were never buying Evan taffy again; not in five months or five years. Their house was now a taffy-free zone. After washing his hands, Kurt hurried out back, anxious to see how Oliver meeting his dad and Carole had gone.

"Looks like theyre getting along well," Carole commented as he stepped outside.

There were two loud shouts of laughter from the pool and the sweet smell of grilled peppers for dinner. For a moment, Kurt watched their two boys horsing around in the pool and then snuck up behind Carole for a surprise hug.

"Oh, Kurt! Its so good to– oh my god, you have a beard!"

Kurt crinkled his face up as Carole hopped up and gave him a real hug. Then she pulled back and started petting over the brownish-red, neatly trim hair that lined his jaw. It wasnt long. Kurt had no plans on letting it get any sort of bushman fluff like Blaine had had before. Letting it grow gave his jaw and chin a sharper distinction from his neck and cheeks. Instead of a baby-faced thirty-year-old, a mature man had started peering back at him in the mirror.

"Burt, your son finally grew a beard," Carole said in amazement as she continued to brush her fingers over it. "After a dozen years of swearing he never would."

Burt gave a grunt and turned away from the grill to eye Kurts jaw. "Looks good on you, kid."

"Looks sexy as hell," Blaine added, shooting Kurt a saucy wink. "Keeps me up all night with that scruff."

"Blaine," Kurt hissed, eyeing the pool. The boys were still splashing around, not a care in the world, though.

"Theyre busy," Blaine said, glancing over his shoulder as Kurt sat down beside Carole. "No dunking, Evan!"

"But–"

"I said no!"

Both boys groaned, but went back to kicking waves of water at each other.

"Any fights yet?" Burt asked, turning back to the grill.

"No," Kurt said, wringing his hands. "Im starting to dread it. We figured it would have happened by now, but theyre happy as clams."

"They usually gang up on us instead of each other," Blaine admitted with a frown. "Its kind of annoying."

Burt and Carole both laughed as Burt set the peppers on the last plate and started cleaning the grill off.

"Itll happen soon enough," Carole assured them. "You and Finn had known each other for close to a year before we moved in and you two had that big fight. Just dont take sides and be patient with them. If sounds like theyre both used to having roommates, but being brothers and friends is much different."

Kurt nodded and looked back over to the pool, unable to stop himself from smiling at the sight of the two. They were calming down some now, grabbing goggles and tossing a handful of glowing diving sticks into the deep end. Watching them grow up together, to be real, great friends was what he and Blaine were both hoping for. It was a secret theyd each kept as little boys, something theyd wanted and had missed out on. Neither of them had admitted it until their first serious conversation about children back in college.

"Ready to eat?" Burt called, carrying several plates full of food over to the table. One was stacked high with grilled chicken breasts; another with green onions, peppers, and asparagus all grilled and still steaming. "Theres baked beans inside. Plates are next to the stove now. Figured wed get a head start before those two eat everything."

When they all agreed, Blaine forced Burt into a chair and headed inside to grab the plates and baked beans. As the boys continued to swim, the four of them dug in, filling their plates up and catching up on everything theyd been missing. Carole was retired from her nursing career and spending a lot more time gardening.

"I always wanted to have a little garden, but I didnt have the time when Finn was younger," Carole said as Kurt cut up his chicken. "He was always such a handful. He trampled over everything. And then I just sort of forgot about it for a long time. But everythings getting so expensive at the stores, so I figured why not."

"It looks fantastic," Kurt told her. "Ive tried a few in the backyard, but there are so many big trees around the house that they dont get enough sun. The strawberries have been doing well, though. The tomatoes all get eaten by bugs before I can get to them."

Carole suggested a few ideas shed implemented in her garden to keep the more unfriendly bugs away and turned to Blaine. "Are you still working on your masters? I talked to Lily last week and she said youre getting close to done."

"Yeah, another five classes or so, I think," Blaine said with a shrug. "I didnt have the time this summer to take another one. The stores been busy, and with all the preparations for the baby and then Oliver," he trailed off and shrugged again. "I figure Ill cut my time at the store once shes born and take one or two then–"

"She?" Burt echoed, looking up as Carole gave a thrilled little squeak. "I thought you guys said we were gonna be oh-for-five in the fall?"

Kurt glared at Blaine and swatted his shoulder. "Blaine, that was a surprise!"

"Oh, a granddaughter!" Carole bounced in her seat. "I saw the cutest little outfit at the mall last week!"

"We– it was– we only just found out because Lily let it slip," Blaine stammered. He shot Kurt a guilty look as Burt and Carole grinned and gushed over the news.

"What about feeding your grandsons first, huh?" Evan butted in. He plopped down next to Kurt as Oliver inched into the seat next to Blaine. "Were famished."

"And youll stay famished until were sure you arent going to upchuck anymore," Burt informed him. "I heard all about your theft and vomit show."

"It was a spectacular!" Evan insisted. "At one point it almost came out of my nose–"

"Not at the table," Kurt ordered.

"Oliver, grab whatever you want," Blaine encouraged, handing him a plate. He glared at Evan and picked out a little bit of each and set it down in front of him. "There, start with that and see how it goes."

"But Im starving," Evan complained, massaging his stomach and pouting. "Ollie, give me your–"

"No way, Ive seen what food looks like when it comes back up on you," Oliver said sharply, aiming his fork at Evans wandering hand. "My plate."

Everyone laughed as Evan whined and stared glumly down at his pitiful meal. "This sucks."

"No, listening to you get sick for nine hours sucks," Kurt corrected. "Youre never having taffy ever again. I dont care if Im long dead and youre on your death bed and its your final request, okay? Ollie, dont give it to him even then."

The others all agreed, but Olivers silence made Kurt look over. For a second, he worried, but when he caught the look on the boys face he realized how much saying such a thing meant. Oliver still had no expectations of this being long-term. Even if it was for a few years, he didnt think it would last for decades, and certainly not a life time. As Oliver looked between them all in wonder, Burt returned the conversation to the baby.

"So whats her name going to be?"

"Anna Rose," Blaine beamed. "We thought about using our mothers first names, but it didnt feel right to burden her with that."

"Well have to take a trip up for Halloween this year, or a long Thanksgiving vacation now, and spoil her," Burt decided. Carole agreed. "Shes due in October, right?"

"Supposed to be the fifth," Kurt said. He kept an eye on Oliver, who had dropped his gaze back to his plate and was looking uncomfortable again. Every time they mentioned the baby, Oliver got quiet and looked unsure of himself. Kurt hadnt brought it up with him yet, didnt want to push, but he and Blaine had their suspicions for why. For years, foster families had shunted Oliver around. From what theyd figured out, Oliver had been a live-in babysitter more than once. It wasnt a huge leap for him to think that once Anna was born, theyd send him away or make him Annas keeper. "Olivers starting middle school in another month, too. Weve got so many things to buy him and then we get to do orientation and meet his teachers."

"Weve got to get you registered, too. And physicals for any sports you might want to play. Theres clubs you can join, too," Blaine added, sharing a silent glance with Kurt that told him Blaine had noticed, too. "Registration opens for new students on the first. Well take a trip over to Northport the first day were back and get you set up and pick classes. Hows that sound?"

Olivers cheeks turned pink, but he nodded and gave them a bashful smile. "D- do I get a locker and everything?"

"Yeah, theyre only the half ones, so you cant get locked into one by the older kids," Evan said. "But none of them will mess with you because Im an eighth grader this year and youre my kid brother. Ill kick anyone who tries it."

"Really?"

At Olivers surprised and disbelieving look, Evan nodded and speared a pepper on his fork. "Duh, Im the only one allowed to mess with you. Or Dad or Papa or Pop or Nana." He let out a piercing whistle, then and grimaced. "See what happens when you dont feed me enough? I start ticking."

"Shut it and eat," Blaine said, rolling his eyes. "At least youre not doing that esophagus popper like the first time you met Burt and Carole."

"He did that the first time he met Jack, too," Carole said with a laugh. "Thats the reason Burt is Pop."

"I wanted to be Grandpa," Burt explained at Olivers confused look. "Jack was about a year old then and Evan was trying to teach him how to say Grandpa. He kept doing that tic and making this pop! So Jack started squealing about Pop and I became Pop."

"Better than Pap," Blaine told him. "That one just makes me think of pap smears."

The adults all grimaced, but at the mention Kurts face fell. "Oh my god, were having a daughter."

Blaine gave him a perplexed look. "Thanks for that, Captain Obvi–"

"Were going to have to take her to those kinds of appointments once she starts– and how do we explain any o- o- of that?" Kurt stammered in horror. "I dont know how any of that works!"

"Lilyll be on hand," Blaine said, but he looked unsure, too. "Or Grandma Carole," he added, winking at her. "Only a phone call away and we can educate ourselves a lot better on female reproduction before she starts puberty, Kurt. Weve got a decade or more."

"But shes going to want a girl to take her to shop for all that stuff," Kurt realized. "And bras and– oh my god, arent bra sizes letters and numbers and–"

"Woah, woah, slow down," Carole said. Her hand rubbed over Kurts spine as he dropped his fork and rested his forehead on his palm. "She, and you two, are going to be just fine. Shell have plenty of women in her life to help her and guide her and shes going to have two incredible fathers, too."

"And two awesome big brothers!" Evan added. He grinned around at everyone. "I bet my girlfriend will wanna take her shopping and help out once she starts needing all that stuff!"

Blaines knife clattered against his plate as he sucked in a deep breath. "Holy shit, what if shes straight? What if I have to beat boys away from her? I cant get arrested for beating children, Kurt. Ive already caused too much trouble and– what if Im too old and feeble and her boyfriends beat me?"

"Oh, stop it," Carole snapped. "Both of you. Its going to be fine. She is going to be so headstrong and brave, shell be beating the boys, girls, or whoevers back with one hand."

"I–" Kurt swallowed and looked up. Oliver looked like a lion had just tried to maul his face. Evan was grimacing and rolling his eyes. His dad looked amused, Carole a little annoyed, and Blaine was taking deep breaths. "Shes going to be beautiful."

That seemed to take Blaines remaining worries and dash them aside. His smile was soft as he looked across the table at Kurt. "With your genes, shes going to be stunning."

"Shes got a little bit of you, too," Kurt reminded him. "Maybe shell end up with your eyes since Lilys are that same beautiful hazel-green."

"Oh, god," Evan groaned, another whistling tic echoing around the backyard. "Here they go again. They do this a lot, Ollie. Its endearing the first six months, but by the seventh its just repulsive."

"Evan, you better be glad they love each other so much," Burt cut in. "Youve both got two great, loving dads."

"Well, yeah, Im just saying," Evan said, shrugging. "Its still cute," he added, as Blaine took Kurts hand and they grinned at each other, "but its annoying, too."

"I think its sweet," Oliver said quietly. Kurt and Blaine both glanced over at him. "More parents need to love each other like you two do. Most of them just fight about nothing so much they end up thinking its everything when its not."

Kurt glanced at Blaine again and then took one of Olivers hand is his other one. "We have some stupid fights, theres no denying that, but you dont have to worry about us losing focus on whats real and important. Youre a part of this family now and youre already a son to us."

Oliver swallowed, looking overwhelmed as he let Blaine hug him to his side and Kurt squeeze his hand.

Evan burped, then winced as Kurt glared at him. "Manners, Evan."

"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his stomach. "Those peppers might have been a bad idea."

"Oh, not again–"

"I wont get sick, I promise!" Evan insisted, looking offended. "Jeez, youd think the only thing I ever do is overeat and throw up the way you guys talk."

Kurt aimed his fork at Evan and gave him a pointed look. "Compared to everyone else at this table you do overeat. Theres an entire empty shelf in the freezer that held fifteen pizzas a week ago, and it has your name on it."

"Ollie helped me eat those!"

"Since when does help mean sitting there watching you stuff your face?" Oliver quipped, frowning at Evan.

"Were cutting you back on the frozen dinners when we get back," Blaine decided as Evans face fell. "If youre going to eat more than an elephant then its at least going to be healthy food from now on."

"But–"

"Dont argue with your dads, sport," Burt cut in. "Even I cant win against them."

Evan glowered at his empty plate and stood up. "Im going to bed," he said moodily.

"But–" Oliver stopped and watched him stalk off into the house, looking sad.

"Oh, you two are going to have your hands full," Burt chortled. "Your first baby and a moody teenager all at once."

"Hes just... touchy about his food," Kurt decided with a frown. He stared after where Evan had just disappeared and shook his head. His son had had a rough day, that was all. Hed be his bright, excited self by morning.

"Oh, hes a hot-blooded, snappy, little pinball of teenage angst just waiting to unravel," Carole assured him. "His voice has cracked a dozen times since you guys got here."

Kurt mouthed silently at her observations. Evan was still their little boy. Still short and gangly with a round, adorable little face, not the chiseled jaw of a teenage boy or man.

"He got a girlfriend yet?" Burt wondered. "Or boyfriend? I know he likes girls. Had that huge crush on Beth when he met her."

"No," Blaine said quickly. "No, no, no girlfriends. Hes too young–"

"I was his age when I had my first girlfriend," Burt remarked. "Little younger, if I remember right. End of seventh grade." At Kurts horrified look, he added, "It wasnt anything real. Not that young. Just said we were dating, held hands in the halls for a few days, then she threw a big fit in the cafeteria and we broke up. Thats all eight grade was for me. All that I remember anyway. High school was the same for the first few years."

Kurt groaned and buried his face in Caroles shoulder. "Im so not ready for the fall."

She laughed loudly at him, and hugged him. "Oh, youll be fine. Evans a sweet boy. Im sure whenever we starts dating it wont be like your father. Hes a wonderful man, but he was a typical boy before he met your mother."

"I wasnt that bad," Burt replied, giving her a look. "I could have been worse."

"You were a heartbreaker on every count," Carole teased, smiling at him.

"Just like our boys," Burt said proudly. "Well, you two werent," he decided, looking at Kurt and Blaine. "Stuck together since the day you met."

"Except that last year of college," Blaine said. "We both broke a few hearts that year."

"Put two important ones back together, too," Kurt reminded him, poking Blaine in the chest, right over his heart. "Come on, lets clean up and get to bed."

"Ill show you where youre sleeping, okay, Oliver?" Carole said as they all climbed up and headed inside with their plates.

"His bags still in the car," Kurt added as Carole led Oliver past him and into the house.

"Well get it, dont worry," Carole assured him.

Kurt watched them go, biting his lip, but Oliver seemed comfortable. He wasnt staring back at them like Carole was going to shove him into a volcano. Still, Kurt worried about him. For six weeks, theyd seen Oliver adapt to their house and life at a remarkable rate. The boy was quick and bright, and Kurt hoped he was comfortable and felt safe with them. But there was still a lot of learning and getting to know each other that would take years to figure out.

"Hes okay," Blaine murmured against Kurts neck. A soft kiss lingered under his earlobe as Blaine nudged him inside. "Caroles great with kids."

"I know, I just want him to feel safe and loved when hes here," Kurt said quietly. "I dont want to crowd him too much. He likes his space."

"Yeah, Evans going to be stomping around like an angry teenager. Then Olivers going to be the one locking himself in his room for hours and shutting us out."

"At least Anna will still want to be around us," Kurt said. "I cant wait to have tea parties with her. Oh, I hope she wants to dress up like a princess or a warrior or–"

Blaine silenced him with a firm kiss as Burt rolled his eyes and shoved them both into the house.