Our New Normal

"Drive careful, okay?" Blaine said to his sister.

"I promise." Danielle said while she strapped Garret into his car seat.

Danielle walked over to Kurt, "Okay Kurt. Time to give her up?"

Kurt held Kate a little tighter. "Can't we keep her? You've already got one." Blaine and Danielle laughed.

"You know some days I think why not? But single motherhood isn't so bad."

"Not even with twin six month olds?"

"They're worth it. I love them so much."

"It helps that they're pretty cute too." Kurt said as he handed Kate over to Danielle.

"They are, aren't they?" Danielle said as she strapped in Kate.

"I'll see you guys next week." Danielle gave one last hug to Blaine and Kurt then got in her car and headed home.

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An hour later Kurt and Blaine were finishing cleaning the kitchen when the phone rang. Both of their hands were wet so Blaine reached over and hit the speaker button.

"Hello." Blaine said.

"Hello. Is this Blaine Hummerson?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"My name is Doctor Taylor and I am calling from Memorial Hospital. Your sister Danielle Anderson was hit by a drunk driver earlier this evening."

Blaine dropped the plate into the sink with a loud crash. He looked at Kurt who had a mirror image of horror on his face.

"Is she okay?"

"I'm going to be honest, it's touch and go. If you come down to the hospital we can give you more information."

"What about the kids?"

"They have a few scraps and bruises but they're fine."

"Okay we are on our way."

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Kurt and Blaine rushed to the closest nurses station. "I'm looking for my sister. She was brought in about an hour ago?"

"What's the name?"

"Danielle Anderson."

One of the men standing on the other side of the counter said, "Are you Blaine?"

"Yes."

"I'm Doctor Taylor. We spoke on the phone."

"How is my sister?"

"She is in surgery. There was a lot of bleeding. Even if she makes it through surgery there may be some lasting brain damage. We wont know anything for a while."

"Can we see the babies?"

"Sure. They are on the tenth floor. I'll take you."

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Two hours later Blaine was asleep in one of the chairs in the waiting room holding Kate who was also asleep. Kurt was sitting next to him feeding Garret.

"Blaine." Kurt said nudging him awake. "Blaine the doctor is coming."

Blaine sat up in his chair. The doctor sat down across from them.

"I'm so sorry to have to tell you but you sister didn't make it."

Blaine would have fallen apart right there but he looked down at the baby sleeping in his arms. She had no idea how much she had just lost. She was only a baby who needed protection.

"Are your parents coming?" The doctor asked.

"They live in Paris. They are flying in tomorrow."

"If you like we can keep the babied overnight. Give you two some time to figure things out."

Blaine looked at Kurt.

"That's not necessary." Kurt said. "We will take them tonight."

"Okay I will go get a nurse who can set you up with some baby formula, diapers and other things you will need."

"I need to call my parents." Blaine said as he got up and walked around the corner, taking out his phone.

"Here are some things you will need." The nurse said as she put two diaper bags in the back of the car. "It has diapers, wipes, baby powder, formula, and burping clothes. There is also a piece of paper with a list of phone numbers to call in case you have any questions."

"Thank you." Blaine said.

"You should schedule a check-up with their pediatrician in a few days."

"Alright." Kurt said.

They said one more round of "Thank You's" and then got in their car and drove home.

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They had finally gotten both of the babies to sleep. Blaine was sitting in front of the mirror just trying to figure it all out. He felt Kurt's arms come around his shoulders and he lost it. He fell into Kurt and started to cry. Kurt just rubbed his back feeling tears come down his face as well.

"I don't know what to do. How do I make this stop hurting so bad?" Blaine asked.

"You don't. The pain is good. It means you still feel something." Kurt answered.

"How do you do it? How do you deal with losing someone so close to you? I don't understand. She was here just a few hours ago, and now she is gone."

"I know. It sounds cheesy but you just have to take it one day at a time. One day you will wake up and feel a little bit better. Things will seem a little more normal."

Kurt and Blaine walked over and lay down on the bed. Blaine put his head on Kurt's chest and Kurt stroked his hair.

"What do we do now?" Blaine said looking at the two basinets next to their bed.

"Well now we sleep. We can figure the rest out tomorrow." Kurt said. They lay in silence Kurt stroking Blaine's hair until they both fell asleep.

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It was 10am and Kurt and Blaine had been up since 6am. Blaine had talked to his editor and had gotten a 3-week extension on his book. Kurt talked to the theater director and she gave him the week off.

They had told everyone they didn't want any visitors today so they were shocked and a little annoyed when the bell rang.

"I got it." Kurt said. He put Kate down in her bouncy chair and opened the door.

"Gavin hello." Kurt said.

"I'm so sorry to come by unannounced but I'm not here as Danielle's co-worker I am here as the head of her estate."

"Please come in." The three of them sat at the table with the babies in their arms.

"I know this must be hard for you to think about but we need to make some decisions. When she had the babies we sat down and wrote out a will. She has burial instructions and a list of assets. She wanted everything to go to you Blaine."

"What about the children?" Blaine asked.

"Including the children. She wanted both of you to raise them."

"Us?"

"Yes."

"Not my parents?"

"No. She was very adamant that the children be in both of your care."

They sat in silence for a moment.

"I know this is a lot to take on so I can give you some time to think about what that means for the two of you."

"If theoretically we did take them, what would we have to do?"

"Well you would have to legally adopt them. Which means an interview with a social working, a house call from a social working, and 6 months of probation. The good thing is you are married, both of you have a clean criminal record, and this is explicitly what she wanted so we shouldn't have any problems with the court. The only problem that might come up is if your parents fight for custody."

"They are aloud to do that?"

"As close living relatives, yes they can fight for custody if they think they would be better parents. Then it would be up to the court to decide."

"But she wanted us."

"I know but that's not the only factor that goes into the decision. Look we are getting way ahead of ourselves. You guys need to sit down and decide if this is what you want."

"What if we didn't take them?"

"Then they would go to your parents. If they didn't want to take on the burden then they would go to the next living relative or social services."

Again they sat in silence for a moment.

"We need to talk about burial." Gavin said.

Blaine took a deep breath.

"I don't know what she wanted."

"She has it all written down. She wants to be buried in Lima. I can make all of the arraignments."

Blaine just shook his head.

"If you don't have any more questions I am going to go now. But before I do," Gavin reached into his briefcase and pulled out a sealed envelope with Blaine's name on it. "She wanted me to give this to you. I didn't read it. She said it was only for you."

Blaine took the letter and put it on the table.

"Thank you for coming." Kurt said. He got and walked Gavin out.

"Can you watch them for a moment? I should really go read the letter." Blaine asked.

"Of course." Kurt said.

Blaine put Garret back into his bouncy seat, picked up the letter, and walked into the bedroom. He sat down on the bed and ran his fingers over the front of the envelope. BLAINE was written in Danielle's perfect handwriting. He took a breath then carefully opened the letter.

Blaine,

If you are reading this, that means I'm gone. I know this must be a difficult time for you but I need to ask a favor. I'm sure you are asking yourself why I left you Kate and Garret.

I got to witness you and Kurt fall in love. That's how I know you guys can do this. You might not know it yet but that man you have is going to be an amazing father, second only to yourself. I wouldn't want my children to be raised by anyone else. You and I always saw things the same way. I want them to know how amazing the world is and how much is out there for them. I know you will teach them these things. You and Kurt are just starting your lives together and I understand this is a big favor to ask, but please consider it.

I'm sitting here at my desk writing this letter hoping you never read it. But if you do there is one thing I want to tell you. Don't let your career overshadow your family. It's been three months since the babies were born and I regret every second I'm not with them. Love them, play with them, and teach them right from wrong. Don't ever let yourself forget how important every moment is.

I have a box hidden up in the addict. When they turn 16 please give the box to Kate and Garret. Tell them I loved them, and I will always be watching over them.

I love you,
Danielle  

Blaine only noticed he had started to cry when a tear hit the paper.

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"Thank you. Goodnight." Kurt said, and then he hung up the phone. He walked into their bedroom to start getting ready for bed. Blaine was sitting on the bed looking at the bassinets. Kate and Garret were fast asleep. Kurt walked over and quietly sat down next to Blaine and wrapped his arm around Blaine's shoulders.

"We have to keep them." Blaine said.

"I know." Kurt said.

"Do you think we are ready?" Blaine asked

"Well, I never thought I would be a dad this early or by these circumstances, but with you, I know we can do it." Kurt said as he lightly placed a kiss on Blaine's forehead.

"Who was on the phone?"

"Gavin. He made all of the arraignments. He also got your parents a connecting flight to Ohio so they will be there tonight. We fly out tomorrow afternoon, and the service is on Friday. I called everyone they are all coming. There will be a gathering at my parent's house afterwards. I also called them and they will pick us up from the airport tomorrow night. Mom has a friend who will lend us two bassinets while we are there. Gavin is coming to finalize some details."

"Thank you so much for doing this babe. I don't think I could have made all those calls."

"I know sweetheart." Kurt said will another kiss to his forehead.

They sat looking at the babies for a few more minutes then got into bed. They had a very long week a head of them.

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Blaine and Kurt sat at the airport waiting for their flight to Ohio. They tried to keep the babies calm but Kate decided she was going to cry no matter what.

"Did you try feeding her?" Blaine asked.

"Of course I did and I changed her. I don't know what she wants." Kurt said becoming annoyed.

A woman who was sitting across from them said, "Have you tried holding her to your chest?"

Kurt looked at her, "What?"

"Sit down and hold her on your shoulder, across your heart."

Kurt sat down and did what the woman said. Kate stopped crying with in seconds. "Thanks."

"She just wanted to feel your heart beat." She replied. "New parents?"

"Very new. As in less then 48 hours."

"They are very cute. What are their names?"

"This is Kate." Kurt said.

"And this is Garret." Blaine motioned to the baby he was bouncing on his knee.

"I'm Blaine by the way, and this is my husband Kurt."

"I'm Jasmine. How long have you two been married?"

"A little over a year." Kurt replied.

"Wow not long." She paused for a moment. "Are you Blaine Hummerson? The author?"

'Oh no here it comes.' Kurt thought.

"Yes." Blaine said reluctantly. He didn't hate getting recognized anymore but this was an airport with his husband and their two babies. Thankfully he was saved by the attendant. "We will now be boarding fist class passengers, first Class passengers."
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Blaine pulled into the driveway.

Carole and Rachel rushed out of the house to greet them. Kurt thought it was more to see the babies then them, but he didn't say anything. They got out of the car, exchanged quick hugs then went to get the babies. Blaine was the first one to get a baby.

"Mom, Rachel this is Garret." Blaine said. Carole reached out her arms, and Blaine surrendered the child immediately. Resistance was futile. By that time Kurt had grabbed the other one.

"And this is Kate." Rachel grabbed her up very quickly. Carole and Rachel brought the babies into the house debating which one was cuter. The boys used the time to get their luggage and bring it into Kurt's old room. Finn and Rachel were staying in Finns old room, which meant it was a full house.

Blaine walked into the room and put his stuff down. There were two small cribs against the wall. Blaine walked over and placed his hand on one of the cribs. Kurt walked over and put his hand on top of Blaine's.

"They look exactly like the one's that Danielle has." Blaine paused, "Had. The one's Danielle had."

"Are you going to be okay with everyone here? If it would make you feel better we can go to a hotel."

"No." Blaine said and he brought Kurt into a hug. "These people were my family years before I said 'I Do'. There is nobody I want around more then our family."

They went downstairs and had dinner catching up with Rachel and Finn. Rachel got the lead in the school musical, of course, and Finn was now the backup quarterback for UCLA's football team. When they finished dinner everyone piled into the family room and kept talking. They talked TV, sports, politics, all things Blaine usually spoke up about but tonight he didn't feel like adding to the conversation.

"So have you guys decided what to do about the babies?" Rachel asked.

"Rachel!" Finn said.

"It's okay." Kurt replied. He looked at Blaine who gave him a nod. "Well we weren't going to say anything until after the service, but we have talked about it and they is no way we can give these two up. It's what Danielle wanted so we are going to keep them."

"That's great." Rachel said.

"I agree." Finn added.

"That's a lot of work. Are you sure your ready for it. Do you have all the things you will need?" Carole interjected.

"Well when we get back we are going to get the baby things from Danielle's and anything she didn't have we can get."

"What about school. Are you going public or privet? Who is going to watch them after school when you are at the theater and Blaine is out of town?"

"Whoa, mom. They are only 6 months old we have time to figure it all out." Kurt said.

"Excuse me I need to get something from the bedroom." Blaine got up and walked out of the room. Instead of going up stairs he turned down the hallway and went out the back door.

He walked down the porch steps, onto the grass, and paced around for a minute. When he got tired he sat down on the porch step. Not long after, he heard someone come outside. He figured it was Kurt, which is why he was so surprised when Burt sat down next to him holding Garret.

"How are you holding up?"

"Honestly not good. I don't think I can do this. I lost my sister and gained two kids in one day. Now I'm suppose to raises these two babies into people. I don't know what I'm dong."

"I'll let you in on a little parenting secret. No one ever knows what he or she is doing. They just wing it and hope they don't mess their kids up to bad."

"Just wing it. That's you advice? Besides I didn't have nine months to prepare or come to terms with that fact I was going to have a child."

"Here." Burt leaned over and handed Garret to Blaine. "Look into that little boys eye's. He loves you already. Your only job is to love him back. The rest will come naturally."

Blaine stared into Garret's eyes.

"And Blaine remember, you're not alone in this. I know my son, and I would like to think I know you. The two of you are going to make amazing fathers. But if you have any question, Carole and I are always here for you."

"Thank you. I don't know how much Kurt has told you about my relationship with my father but he is nothing like you. I always envied Kurt for growing up with such an amazing and supportive father. He admires you so much. I hope to be that for my son one day."

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