CHAPTER 2: Dream a Little Dream of Me
We timed it-- Kurt and I left the hotel separately, at separate times, in separate cars, so we wouldn't see each other before the ceremony. Call us superstitious, but... I really wanted to surprise him.
Pulling up to the church at one in the afternoon, I stepped out, admiring the beautiful building. It had been refurbished only months beforehand, and it looked amazing. Stained glass sprawled across the front, beautiful and brilliant colours sparkling out in every direction.
"Erin?!" I turned to find Jean running out from the back doors. She was grinning. "Oh, God, Erin, you're gorgeous!" Jean laughed in glee. "Kurt's gonna die when he sees you."
I laughed. "Thanks, Jean. How is everyone? How are things?"
"They're good, everything is as it should be. They're ready whenever you are."
"Oh, dear. That's what I was afraid of," I chuckled. "Okay, well... We're comin' in!"
Ten minutes later, after doing a quick touch-up on myself as well as Jean, Suzeanne, Kitty and Rogue, we were ready to go. Everyone got in their rightful places and the wedding march began.
Little Erin went first, adorable as ever in her little dress, accompanied by my Mom; Michael and Suze were next; Jean and Scott; Kitty and Bobby; and finally, Logan and Rogue.
"Erin? Are you nervous?"
"I'm trying not to think about it."
"Oh. Okay. Sorry," he chuckled. (I smiled, laughing inwardly. My sweet ol' dad!) "Me, too."
I gave his hand a squeeze. "Everything's gonna be alright, Dad. Nothing's going to change, you know? I'll always be your girl."
He stared at me, his eyes welling over with tears, and he opened his mouth to say something but it was too late. Our time had come. "Oh boy," I sighed. "Here we go."
And seeing the look on Kurt's face was well worth the wait. He was grinning like a maniac, his eyes shimmering with tears. As if I wasn't getting all worked up, either! I was scared and nervous and excited and enthralled, all balled up into one.
Kurt wasn't exactly able to wear a wedding band, but we'd bought him one, anyway; we figured that, despite the fact Kurt was maybe an inch shorter than Scott, they were probably the same size anyway, and Jean was nice enough to let me borrow her husband for a day so I could have him try on rings. It was hysterical. We put it on a chain, and he would wear it around his neck constantly. So after exchanging the rings and all the rest, our priest finally claimed us. "And now, by the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. Kurt," he smiled. "You can kiss your bride now."
And he did, beaming, but not before I put my arms around him. The entire congregation burst out in applause and cheering, whooping and hollering.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honour to present to you: Kurt and Erin Wagner!"
Before we knew it we were at the reception. It was held back at the hotel, at the same big room we used for breakfast that morning. By the time we got back it was all set up, ready to go. We had a big meal, and then we were ready for some partying! But first things first... I wanted to dace with my new husband.
"Hi, guys," the DJ greeted us over the mic. "Okay, so I'd like to announce the first dance of the night, the couple that's gonna start it all off, how about a big hand for the happy couple, eh? Kurt, Erin, get on up here."
Kurt turned and grinned at me, taking my hands in his. "Come, kleines... dance with me, my darling."
And I don't think I've ever blushed so red in all my life. He led me out onto the dancefloor, but the DJ called me over. "What do you wanna hear, hun?"
I mulled it over for a moment before remembering a song we'd heard (and loved) while at school one day. "Dream A Little Dream of Me. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, please."
"You got it."
The song started, and Kurt took up my hand, pulling me towards him. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I slid my arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. I could feel his warm breath in my ear, and I closed my eyes, letting myself drift away. I could hear cameras clicking away, and I giggled.
"What are you giggling about, dummes madchen?" Kurt lovingly teased.
"I feel like we're celebrities or something," I smiled, looking up into those vibrant yellow eyes.
He laughed. "Well, I suppose you could say we are..." he took my hand and spun me around. "For a day, at least."
"Aah..." I sighed. "I've always wanted to know what it's like to be Audrey Hepburn!"
We both shared a laugh, and Kurt pulled me back towards him for a kiss.
As the night wore on, I got to dance with my dad and my brother, and Kurt danced with my mom and Suzeanne. He even shared a dance with his new little niece, Erin. There was more dancing, drinking (drinking age had been lowered to eighteen in 2013), dining and just all around partying. We did the Shout, the Twist, the Electric Slide (me, my mom and my granma owned the dance floor)-- you name it. We even got to shake it like a polaroid picture when the DJ played Hey-Ya. I had never seen Kurt have such a fun time. At five, the cake was cut... it was chocolate, my favourite!
After the cake, we all hit the dance floor again. One thing that must be known about my family-- immediate and extended-- is that we know how to party. The Irish are the best partiers in the world! I joined my friends from school in the "Love Train" or whatever it was, where everyone does the train around the dance floor... Logan and Kurt had had enough and were laughing off to the side, at one of the tables with beers in hand.
But by ten o'clock, alot of my family and friends had come to say goodbye, that they were getting a little tired and would see us soon. The DJ finally left at about a quarter to eleven, leaving the radio on quietly and I found myself sitting around one of the large tables with Kurt, my parents, Michael, and all our closest friends from school. Suzeanne had taken little Erin home because she was so exhausted. We were all sitting around just chatting it up with drinks and little pieces of leftover cake when the photographer came by, snapping our picture. Realizing she and her two colleagues had been there for over eight hours, I immediately sent all of them home.
Finally, at eleven thirty, it occured to me that I was getting very very tired. I yawned. "Oh, man, I'm exhausted. All this... marital stuff has really worn me out." Kurt laughed.
"It's been a long day," Logan agreed with a smile.
"Yeah, sweetie, I think we all ought to get going," my dad nodded. "We'll all get some good sleep and then tomorrow we can all relax!"
"Ah ah, Jim..." my mom leaned in to whisper something in his ear, and he started.
"Oh! Yes. I nearly forgot!" Dad grinned.
"Forgot what, Dad?"
"Have you two thought any on your honeymoon, by chance?"
Kurt and I looked at each other. We'd talked about it, alright. Alot.
"Dad, uh... I don't know if you've noticed, but Kurt--"
"I know, sweetheart, I know, and-and that's why... well, Sam, our neighbor, has this... house boat yacht sort of a thing; it's huge and it's really fancy, it's got something like four rooms and two bathrooms and a full bar with a mini restauraunt and a huge kitchen, and when I told him that my only daughter was getting married, well... he told me you two could use it for an entire week, if you like. He's got it fully staffed and everything, but I think you guys will only need a couple people."
My jaw dropped; we were already freaking out half way through my Dad's explanation. "What?!" Next to me, Kurt gasped.
"I'm serious," Dad laughed.
"Well, what... it's so expensive!"
"Sam is taking care of everything, Erin," Dad chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll have everything you need."
"Yes!" I laughed, turning to Kurt (who was also grinning and laughing) and throwing my arms around him in a hug. "Where... um, where is it? Where's the boat, where will we go?"
Dad's face slowly broke out into a grin. "How does Alaska sound?"
"ALASKA!" Kurt almost choked on his wine.
"Oh!" I leapt up, throwing my arms around my father. "Well, this is magic! I've been dying to go!"
"Happy wedding, you guys," Dad laughed.
----------
German translations:
dummes madchen: silly girl