"Dude, you look way tired," Finn told him, frowning.

"You try building a fashion magazine up from the ground, by yourself, and raise a baby, by yourself," he sneered. His frame drooped. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be bitchy."

Finn patted his shoulder reassuringly. "No, I understand, you're way tired." He frowned, staring at his beer bottle for a moment. "You know, I thought of something the other day that might help."

"Oh, yeah , what's that," Kurt said, fighting a yawn and losing.

"I think you should hire a nanny."

Kurt scowled as his brother took a sip from his beer. "A nanny, Finn? Really?"

Finn shrugged. "Kurt, you're working yourself to death. I know you want what's best for Sophie, but you can't do it all. And you know Jen and I don't mind watching her whenever, but we both work during the day." He patted Kurt on the back. "You can't do it all, man, no matter how much you want to."

Kurt watched as his daughter played on the floor, happily ignoring the two men on the couch. Truthfully, he was exhausted and he knew he couldn't keep going on little to no sleep. The magazine deserved better than a half dead owner/editor and, more importantly, his daughter deserved better than a half dead father.

"You're right, of course," Kurt sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "I'll, I'll put out an advert tomorrow."

Jen, Finn's wife, walked in, scooping down to kiss Sophie's blonde curl and handing her a sippy cup before sitting on the armrest next to Kurt and tucking him to her side. He leaned heavily against her. "Go get some sleep for a little bit, we'll watch Sophie," she told him.

"I can't," he yawned. "I have deadlines and-"

"Don't argue, go to sleep," Finn cut him off. Jen pulled him up from the couch and led him to his room. He was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

888

The next day, with the help of Jen, Kurt wrote up an advert and placed it in a couple of newspapers, set to run for Saturday and Sunday.

Single father looking for a nanny.

Must have experience with young children. I have an 18 month old daughter that I wish to have a personal nanny for. Must be able to pass a background check and drug test. References are required.

Please call 646-555-3684

888

The first three days after the advert ran consisted of interview after interview with potential nannies, none of which met Kurt's high standards. They were either incredibly stupid or they flirted with him so hard that he could tell that they were just hoping to sink some gold digging claws in him. There was no way he was leaving his daughter in the hands of either type of those people.

He was ready to just give up and tell his brother he was an idiot.

Typing furiously on his laptop, trying to get the newest issue of his magazine ready to send to the printer, Kurt swiped irritatingly at some hair that had fallen in his face. He hadn't had time to fix it much this morning, forced to rush after he fell asleep at the kitchen table and woke up late. He glanced at Sophie in the corner of his office, surrounded by toys as she giggled. His heart swelled for a moment before he was forced to return his attention to his work.

A few minutes later, Sophie waddled up to his desk, proudly showing him a toy. Smiling brightly, he pushed his chair back, pulling her into his lap. "What do you have there, little missy?"

She babbled happily at him, pointing to the different pictures on the block and looking at him expectantly. He named the animal on each side, pausing after every name so that she could try to repeat it back. "That's right! Such a good job!" Kurt told her, rubbing his nose against her cheek and making her giggle and squirm. "You're such a smart baby, aren't you?"

His cell phone rang suddenly, the generic tone loud in his otherwise quiet office. While it wasn't unusual for it to go off, he was in the office and most calls came through the switchboard. Frowning at the unfamiliar number, he slid his finger across the screen and raised the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Kurt Hummel?" It was a male voice, as unfamiliar as the number. Kurt's frown deepened.

"Yes, may I ask who's calling?"

"My name is Blaine, Blaine Anderson. I saw your advert for a nanny and I was wondering if the position was still open?"

His posture loosened slightly. "Oh, yes, yes, it's still open."

"Great! I mean, I would like to apply."

"Sure, yeah, um, hold on." Covering the mouthpiece, he yelled out the door for his secretary. "Leigh, do I have any lunch appointments?"

She poked her head around the corner. "No, your last appointment for the morning is at 11:35 with Cole. Do you need me to reschedule?"

Kurt thought for a moment. Cole was one of the writers who wanted to talk to him about something, but the appointment shouldn't take too long. "Hang on, I'll let you know," he finally replied. Uncovering his phone, he asked, "Mr. Anderson, are you still there?"

"Yes, sir."

"It's Kurt, actually. Would you be available to meet up for coffee this afternoon? Say, 12:30?"

"Yes, that would be fine. Where would you like to meet?"

Kurt gave him directions to a bistro not far from the office before hanging up and telling Leigh to block of the entire twelve o'clock hour. He and Sophie could get something to eat, meet up with Mr. Anderson to see if he measured up and then still be back in time for Sophie's nap. He kissed Sophie's head as she climbed down from his lap and wondered back over to her toys.

888

Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way.

Kurt rushed into the bistro, Sophie fussing in his arms as he scanned wildly for anyone who could possibly be Blaine.

"Kurt Hummel?" a voice to his left called out. Kurt turned to find a man sitting at a table next to the window. His keen eye took in the slicked back hair (waaaay too much gel), the laughing hazel eyes (they were literally sparkling, what the hell?), the stupidly good looking face (why did he have to be attractive?), and the red bow tie against a (obscenely tight) black button up.

"Blaine Anderson, I'm guessing?" Kurt said, walking over to shake his hand as Sophie wailed in his ear.

Blaine stood, shook his hand firmly, his eyes on the little girl squirming in Kurt's arms. "Aw, what's wrong, sweetie?" he cooed, catching her hand on two of his fingers and shaking them gently. "Are you hungry?"

Kurt watched as Sophie quieted down, her green eyes staring in wonder at the man in front of her. She looked up at her father, unsure of what to do. Kurt smiled down at her. "Sophie, this is Blaine. Can you tell him hi?"

Sophie blinked, her eyes trained on the other man.

"May I?" Blaine asked, motioning slightly to Sophie, who gave one last look at her father before practically jumping in the other man's arms.

"I'll take that as a guess," Kurt chuckled. Blaine grinned and they both sat, Kurt placing Sophie's diaper bag on the empty chair next to him. A waiter rushed over.

"Hello, Mr. Hummel," he greeted him brightly. "I didn't expect you today."

Kurt grinned. "Hello, Julius, how are you? How's your family?"

"I'm good, they're good. Andrea wants you two to come by for dinner sometime soon so the babies can play together."

Kurt laughed. "I'll call her tonight, then."

Julius grinned. "Looking forward to it, sir. Are you ready to order?"

"Have you already eaten, Mr. Anderson?" Kurt asked, turning to the other man, who was busy playing with Sophie.

"Oh, no, that's fine-"

"Please, I insist after I made you wait so long. It's on me." Kurt smiled at him encouragingly. "The food here is amazing."

Blaine flushed, stuttering out an excuse, but was cut off by a glare from Kurt. Finally, they placed their drink and food orders, a club sandwich for Blaine and Kurt's usual pasta while a grilled cheese sandwich for Sophie. Once Julius got everything and had rounded the corner, Kurt began apologizing. "I'm so sorry, I meant to get here early and eat something so Sophie wouldn't be fussy, but things ran long at work and-"

Blaine chuckled, looking up at him. "It's okay, I understand. After all, that's why you're looking for a nanny, right?"

Kurt let out a breath of relief. "Yeah, pretty much." He watched his daughter interact with Blaine for several minutes, could see the pure joy on Blaine's face and the inexplicable happiness on Sophie's.

This could actually work.

"So, do you have any references?" Kurt asked, smiling as Julius deposited their drinks in front of them and pushed a highchair to the end of the table.

"Oh, yes, of course, I'm sorry," Blaine said, shaking his head as he dug around in the bag in the seat next to him while easily balancing Sophie with his other hand. He handed Kurt a folder with several sheets of paper in it, looking nervous for the first time.

"You can put her in the highchair, you know."

Blaine grinned, showing all of his teeth. "I know. Is it okay if I hold onto her a bit longer?"

"Sure, if that's what you want," Kurt chuckled. He looked over the papers as Blaine cooed over Sophie, keeping her calm until the waiter brought out their plates, and then putting her in the highchair and helping her eat without even glancing at Kurt.

He's good, Kurt thought. Sophie was notoriously finicky about who touched her food. So far only he and Finn had been allowed to feed her. Not even his father, who was notoriously amazing with kids, could get her to eat for him.

He turned his attention back to the papers. A resume was on top, showing where he had gone to college, his degree, a few jobs in high school, and behind that was several glowing recommendations from various professors. His brow furrowed as he looked over everything a second time. "Do you not having any actual babysitting experience?"

A blush stained Blaine's olive skin. "Ah, no, not really, but I was planning on becoming an elementary school teacher after I graduated from college and I love kids. It's just, with the economy today, schools aren't hiring and when I saw your advert, I thought it would be a good experience for me."

Kurt watched him, eating his lunch as Blaine played his daughter. He might not have any experience but he was a natural with the little girl. "Have you ever been around little kids for an extended period of time?"

"Yes, my brother and his wife went on a vacation a couple of years ago and I begged them to let me watch their three year old son, Ethan. For ten days, it was just me and him and I loved it. That's what me want to be an elementary school teacher."

Kurt let out a little hum, eating slowly. He hated the thought of someone else, a stranger, raising his daughter, but Sophie seemed completely at ease and if nothing else, Sophie was an excellent judge of character. "Do you have anything that might cause you to have to run off at a moment's notice? Any family issues or ill family members you'd have to go take care of?"

Blaine shook his head. "No, both of my parents are in perfect health and my brother and his wife have no plans for dying anytime soon."

"Do you have a girlfriend or a wife?"

"Ah, no," Blaine said, shifting uncomfortably. Kurt frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm, uh, I'm gay."

Kurt let out a laugh, "Oh, is that all?" He smiled. "It's okay, I'm not going to reconsider you just because of that. I'd be a pretty big hypocrite if I did, considering I'm gay too."

Blaine looked up from where Sophie was playing with his fingers. "You are?"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "I should think it would be obvious."

"I don't judge," Blaine shrugged.

"Well, now you know."

Blaine nodded as Kurt shuffled the papers around. "Now, are you willing to submit to a drug test and a background check?"

"Yes, sir."

"Don't call me sir," Kurt said, not looking up from the paper he was writing on. "Now, if you'll just sign here, consenting to the background check…" He slid the paper across the table and watched as Blaine signed, once again balancing Sophie with ease. "Thank you. And if you'll go to this place," Kurt slid a card across the table, "by three o'clock tomorrow afternoon to take your drug test. Just tell them my name, they know to expect you."

Blaine took the card, carefully tucking it into his bag. "I will go this afternoon," he promised.

"When would you be able to start, Mr. Anderson?"

Blaine looked down at Sophie, taking the fork she was attempting to put in her mouth and exchanging it for a spoon. "Whenever you needed me to, Mr. Hummel."

"I have a few more people to look at before I make my decision, Mr. Anderson, but I will keep you in mind. I should make my decision by the weekend.," Kurt told him, though this guy was pretty much a shoe-in. Blaine helped him gather Sophie's things, now spread across the table, and passed her back to her father with a tickle.

Sophie laughed, burying her face in her father's neck and staring at Blaine. "Say bye bye, Sophie," Kurt murmured. She waved as she yawned, her eyes drooping slightly.

"Bye bye, Miss Sophie," Blaine said, waving his fingers before straightening and holding out his hand for Kurt to shake. "Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Hummel."

"It was my pleasure, Mr. Anderson. And it's Kurt."

"Then please, call me Blaine."

888

Kurt waited the week out, accepting applications and meeting with potential nannies. None of them went over well with Sophie, though a couple showed some promise. Unfortunately none could do what Blaine had done and, since Sophie eating was pretty important, that ruled them out. As much as Kurt was unsure about letting a man take care of his daughter, it seemed Sophie didn't care for any of the women and by Saturday, he had made his decision.

After looking over his papers one more time, including the most through background check Kurt could obtain and a clean drug test, he picked up his phone.

"Blaine Anderson?"

"Yes?"

"This is Kurt Hummel; we had an interview for the nanny position earlier this week? If you're still interested, the job is yours."

"When do I start?"