Unique
"Marley, tell Isaac to stop freaking out."
Marley turned her head back and inwardly laughed. "Isaac, stop freaking out."
"Easy for you to say!" My boyfriend scoffed and grabbed my hand. "I'm not only meeting my girlfriends parents, but all her old friends too."
"You've met me and Jake and we aren't so bad, right?" Marley reassured him tenderly.
I smiled as Jake walked by me with his little boy in his arms.
"What did I do?" Jake asked accusingly, handing JJ over to Marley. He sat in his seat on the plane and placed a quick kiss on his wife's cheek.
"I was just telling Isaac to not freak out about going to Lima," I filled Jake in.
"I don't know these people," Isaac reminded us. "Who's getting married anyway?"
"Sam and Tina," I reminded him.
"Sam was the one to convince you to go to UCLA, right?" He asked. You could see the wheels spinning in his mind, trying to place all the pieces together.
"Yes," Jake, Marley, and I replied in unison which got us to laugh.
Honestly, my boyfriend had every right to freak out. I myself was freaking out. Besides the fact that he was finally meeting my parents, he was also meeting a ton of people I myself hadn't seen in a while. The last time I was in Lima for something, other than seeing my family for birthdays and holidays, was my high school graduation, ten years ago this past June. It wasn't like I was avoiding the small city, I just enjoyed Los Angeles better. People were more accepting of me, I had built a great life there. I had gotten a letter in the mail earlier this year reminding me of my ten year high school reunion, I didn't go. No one I knew was going anyway. It just so happened that the reunion fell on the same day as JJ's first birthday party, so we had a mini McKinley reunion ourselves. Ryder and Kitty would've came if she hadn't just given birth to little Joshua. It still baffles me to see my four best friends married with kids, who said high school sweethearts didn't get a happy ending?
"So give me a rundown of all the main people I need to know," Isaac asked.
I laughed at his question and shook my head. "We have a long flight, but not that long."
"How about just the bride and groom?" He reworded his question.
"Better," I chuckled. "You did mention how Sam got me to UCLA, but that barely covers his importance to me."
Sam coming back to Lima and McKinley is still a vivid memory in my mind. I had two weeks left of my junior year, it was a Thursday that I saw him. I was walking aimlessly down the hall from my calculus class to the new computer lab, or the old choir room. I was by myself. Marley and Kitty had gym across the school while Jake and Ryder had history down another hall. It was rare for me to walk the halls alone but by the end of the year I was use it to. I turned the corner and spotted Sam immediately. He was staring into the room, looking lost and confused all at once. I could see him muttering to himself as he looked into the room in disbelief, his head shaking from time to time. I didn't want to startle him but I also wanted to run and jump on him in utter excitement. Sam was back in McKinley!
I casually continued to stroll down the hallway until I stopped right beside Sam in front of the computer lab. The late bell ringing moments later. "It's jarring at first but the sting eventually fades away."
"Thanks," he casually replied, still looking into the room. Slowly he turned his head, the light bulb finally going off. "Unique!"
"What are you doing here?" I gasped as he pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "Last time I checked you were half naked all over the buses and train stations."
"You've seen my ads?" He asked, shock and awe written all over his face. "Wait, don't you need to go to class?"
"Child," I playfully scoffed. "I should be teaching the class I'm that good."
That conversation was the start of the rest of my life. I skipped my computer class and just spent time talking to Sam. He was bursting at the seams with stories of New York and I with stories of Lima. We casually caught each other up, wanting to wait for the other four to meet up with us to regale them with all our stories. Every time either one of us wanted to start a story we scolded each other and promised to save it for later. During lunch I had wished I had a camera to capture my friends faces when they saw Sam. I think I honestly saw Kitty and Marley shed a tear. Jake and Ryder literally jumped on Sam, not caring about the side eye glances and looks they got. We all felt whole again, obviously missing our other friends who had graduated the year before. Kitty and Artie breaking up severed any ties he had to us, I couldn't speak for the other four but I did randomly message or Facebook chat Blaine and Tina. I didn't want to impose on them while they were in school. Sam even mentioned that he had only seen Tina once since graduation, at Rachel's opening night.
We filled him in on all he had missed, meeting Mr. Schue's son, Daniel. We had so many stories to tell that I felt like it took the two weeks that were left in the school year to tell them. Once school was over the six of us were inseparable. Midway through July, Sam had the brilliant idea of starting a band. He had missed performing and honestly, so did the rest of us. Sam and Jake played guitar, Ryder had the drums covered, and Marley had the piano and she wrote our songs. Kitty and I, of course, were the main vocalists. It all started as a dumb joke during one of our movie marathon nights that just kept building and building until it was a reality. We were an actual practicing, gig performing, band.
"So how does Tina fit in all of this?" Isaac wondered as Marley walked up and down the aisle of the plane, putting JJ to sleep.
It took awhile for Tina to fit into my story actually. It wasn't until after I graduated and moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA that she reemerged in my life. I was by myself out here, except for Mike, Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany. I felt alone, everyone had a career they were working towards and I was stuck at school without a real idea as to what I wanted to do. I knew music was my passion and love but once I graduated and moved our band obviously broke up. I got a random call from Tina on a Tuesday in the middle of October, she just wanted to shoot the breeze. From our two hour long conversation I found out what I wanted to do with my future. I wanted to go into fashion. Tina had reminded me how much I enjoyed designing costumes for our performances and competitions. It just all clicked for me then. She had just transferred to NYU and was pursuing an performance art degree with a minor in fashion design. We all knew she had it in her, and she helped me realize I had it in me too. From that moment on I surged forward with a burning passion for fashion. It took some time after graduation, and with a little financial help from Marley and Jake, but I eventually opened a boutique in Malibu.
"And the rest is history," I playfully teased as we finally got off the plane.
"Nice cliff notes version," Jake teased as we hugged goodbye.
"I did say the flight wasn't long enough," I playfully reminded him and I bent down to give JJ a kiss on his forehead as Marley strapped him into his carriage. "Tell momma Puckerman I said hi, and we'll pick you up at eleven tomorrow so we can head to the church, okay?"
"Yes," Marley agreed and a stood up to pull me into a hug. "I love you. Good luck tonight, both of you."
"Marley," Jake tutted at her. "They'll be fine, don't worry the man for no reason."
"Sorry," she replied with a small wince. "You'll be fine, Isaac. Unique's parents are delightful."
Dinner at my parents home went surprisingly well. They adored Isaac, or at least they told me they did. He was perfect gentlemen, bringing my mother flowers and my dad a bottle of scotch, he knew they way to their heart. I was happy, he made me happy. I met Isaac while I was a junior at UCLA. He was in my advanced music elective class. I might have decided to major in fashion but I still needed an outlet for music, so I signed up for a few music classes. We had to pair up for a project and I had no one who wanted to work with me, it felt like high school all over again. Isaac looked over at me and we decided that it'll be genius idea to work together. From then on we were inseparable, he was my first non McKinley friend. After we graduated a year later we moved in together, still as friends. What I loved about him was that he didn't judge me, he stood by my side as I decided to further my transition. The hormone replacements, the surgeries, he was by my side each and every step.
We didn't start to think about dating until Marley and Jake moved out to Los Angeles about four years ago. They had just gotten engaged and Mercedes invited them out here to help with their careers. Marley starting writing songs with Mercedes and Jake worked with Mike at his dance studio. But when they arrived they immediately saw the attraction between Isaac and I. I admittedly adored him and was probably in love with him without even realizing it. I always scoffed when any of my friends would try and tell me that Isaac had feelings for me, that was just absurd. Now four years later I realize that I had never seen him bring dates home or even talk about someone he was interested it. One day the four of us were eating dinner and he just up and told me that he liked me and hoped I felt the same, which I did. Our relationship felt effortless, I didn't have to try, everything just came and seemed natural. I was desperately in love with him and I knew without a doubt that he felt the same way.
"Ready to get this show on the road?" I asked as Marley and Jake go into the rental car we pulled up in.
"Let's get this show on the road," Jake joked and drummed at the headrest in front of him. "I need to see Sam cry like a baby."
"Like you did at your wedding," I laughed and raised an eyebrow in his direction.
"Well, it was either cry or laugh at the crude jokes Puck was making behind me," Jake added.
"Which was caught on our wedding video," Marley nicely reminded her husband with a judging look. "Thank God I have Quinn to help me on this journey, married to a Puckerman."
Isaac and I laughed at the married couple sitting behind us as he drove. After being together, on and off, for over ten years those two were perfect together. The complimented each other perfectly, never letting high school dramas interfere in their adult relationship. Their road to finding each other again wasn't pretty but we all knew that they would eventual find each other again. The past ten years wasn't a walk in the park for any of us but we all managed to leave Lima unscathed, relatively.
"With the power vested in me, by the state of Ohio, I'm now pronounce you man and wife."
I grabbed Isaac's hand and smiled over at Jake and Marley, who were doing the same.
"Sam, you may kiss your bride."
I started the cheering by letting out a loud yell and clapping enthusiastically. We all stood as the bride and groom made their way down the aisle, followed by the bridal party. I winked as Kitty and Ryder walked by me, excited to see them again. I high-fived Blaine as he walked past me, congratulating him on a job well done as best man.
"There's a lot of people here," Isaac leaned over and whispered in my ear.
I laughed as I tightened the grip on his hand as we began to leave the church. "All of Lima's elite are here, babe."
"One school developed all this talent?" He asked in dismay. "I recognize like four people from TV and theater alone."
"Don't forget our favorite R&B diva, Mercedes Jones," I joked as we walked up to said diva. "Mrs. Chang."
"Unique!" She exclaimed at the sight of me and Isaac. "I haven't see you in like, what, two days?"
"Three," I laughed and pulled her into a quick hug. "Where's Mike?"
"He saw Puck and Quinn during the ceremony and went to say hi," she answered and fixed her dress over her expanding belly. "This little one would not stop kicking the whole time."
I bent down and spoke down to Mercedes' stomach. "Leave your momma alone, or you will have to answer to your Auntie Unique."
"You're crazy," Mercedes laughed and smiled as I stood up. "Where are the other Puckerman's?"
"Calling to check up on JJ," Isaac told her with a shake of his head. "Marley was texting Jake's mom during the ceremony to check up on him."
"I'm gonna need to talk to that girl," Mercedes playfully scolded.
Once Marley and Jake returned with Mike from speaking to Puck and Quinn they briefly greeted Mercedes before we all made our way across town to where the reception was being held. I was immediately overwhelmed by the splendor of the reception hall. It was all gold and black, something told me that Kurt had something to do with the planning of this all. I didn't care, guy had great taste apparently. The cocktail hour was great, I got to mingle with people I couldn't at the ceremony. I was still missing Kitty and Ryder, but they were preoccupied with taking pictures. I noticed how Artie stayed close to Mercedes and Mike. Isaac did the same, he stayed close to me or Marley and Jake. We were called into the main reception area and I noticed how Sam and Tina split the McKinley alumni into two tables. One for the older crowd and one for the newer one. Blaine and Artie got seated at our table, which I was grateful for.
"Ladies and gentlemen please stand for the introduction of your bridal party and the bride and groom," the DJ announced.
I jumped up out my seat and grabbed my camera from Isaac's hand.
"Please welcome your junior groomsmen and junior bridesmaid, Stevie and Stacey Evans."
I had only met Sam's siblings once or twice over the years but it wasn't hard to pick them out of a crowd. They were Sam's clones, dirty blonde hair and green eyes to match. It was adorable how much they idolized their older brother, even as young adults.
"Everyone give it up for bridesmaid Jenna Taylor and groomsmen Ryder Lynn."
"Yeah Ryder!" Jake hollered from over my shoulder which made our whole table smile in appreciation.
"He's so handsome," I muttered which got Isaac to turn around and give me a skeptical look. "Babe, I'm not sixteen anymore, don't worry."
"Now for your best man and matron of honor. Please give a round of applause for Blaine Anderson and Katherine Lynn."
Both McKinley tables screamed and applauded for the duo like we were kids again. I snapped tons of pictures like I was a paparazzi chasing a superstar down the streets in New York and Los Angeles. Kitty, of course bathed in the applause like her life depended on it. I love that girl, and Blaine just laughed at her antics and went right along with it.
"Now I need everyone up on their feet and clapping your hands. So I can introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Evans."
Tina and Sam waltzed into the ballroom hand in hand and I could physically see everyone swoon. They were adorable, bright, huge smiles on their faces. I spotted Tina's mom from across the ballroom, crying. I heard Marley whisper to Jake that she couldn't believe how beautiful Tina looked in her floor length designer dress. She was absolutely breath taking. Once the noise died down, Kitty and Blaine stepped up to the microphone to serenade the newly married couple for their first dance. As we all sat, the McKinley alumni giggled at their choice of a song. Of course they chose a Maroon 5 song, typical Blaine. Halfway through the song the DJ invited the other couples to the floor and I grabbed Isaac's hand to dance.
"Congrats you guys," I greeted the happy couple as I danced next to them.
"Unique, you look beautiful," Tina complimented me. "I'm glad you made it Isaac."
"It's great to finally meet you," he told her. "And congrats."
"Thanks man," Sam smiled and patted his back, showing off his new, white diamond wedding band.
The reception overall was beautiful. I danced with Isaac and Marley almost all night. It was great to reconnect with old friends too. I didn't want to shelter myself with just the people I could see everyday. I caught up with Blaine and his amazing life and career, I also got to have a real conversation with Rachel. We were never really friends, but we did have a ton in common. She filed me in on her recent engagement to a man I sadly had known far too well back in high school. She looked content and at peace with her life right now, back on a Broadway stage. I even did a little dancing with Kurt, if it wasn't for him and Mercedes I would've probably been stuck at Carmel and hating myself and my life. They saved me and let me be me, no questions asked. If it wasn't for those two I'd never have the nerve to transfer to McKinley and meet the most important people in my life. I was a lucky girl indeed.
"You okay?" Isaac asked as we drove back to my parent's room later that night.
"Fine," I reassured him with a smile. "Just thinking."
"About?" He pried as he turned onto our street.
"How I'm lucky," I blushed at the truth. "I just spent the last, what, seven hours with the people who helped mold that scared little girl into the fierce woman you see now."
"We aren't all that lucky," Isaac said, with a truth in his words that was heartbreaking. He stopped the car once we were in the driveway. "I loved my high school experience but I don't talk to any of the people I was friends with."
"You have a ton of friends now," I reminded him with a tender smile. "Besides, you can borrow Jake and Marley anytime you want."
"Thanks," he replied with a hearty laugh. "Do we have any more weddings after this?"
I reached by my feet and slipped on my shoes that I chucked off as soon as I got in the car. "Not anytime soon, no. Unless Blaine decides to meet someone and marry."
"How many of these McKinley weddings have you been to?" He asked as we finally exited the car and made our way into the house, as silent as possible.
"Counting this one? Four," I answered. "Mercedes and Mike, Jake and Marley, and Ryder and Kitty."
"Damn," Isaac breathed in a impressed tone.
"Marley and Jake win though," I told him as we reached my bedroom. I opened the door and immediately took my shoes off. All the dancing killed my feet. "They've been to every wedding."
"Why them and not you?" He asked as he sat on the bed with a content, pleased sigh.
"First one was Jake's brother, then his dance partner, followed by Marley's song writing partner. Then they got married and then we end it with Ryder and Kitty and now Sam and Tina," I explained as simple as possible.
"That's a lot of weddings," he noticed with a laugh. "All that's left is a few of you."
"Rachel's next," I told him. "She was showing off her giant ring at the reception. Kurt has a boyfriend he adores and Artie and Blaine are bachelors, for now at least."
"And you?"
"Well, there is this one guy who's caught my eye from time to time," I teased as I watched my boyfriend remove his suit jacket with such ease.
"Just time to time?" He asked, playing along.
"He's all kinds of fine," I explained with a laugh. "Totally charming too, won over my parents after just five minutes with them. Loves my friends just as much as I do. And his job? I could be a housewife if I wanted to but he supports my dreams and let's me peruse them freely."
"I should meet this guy," Isaac joked. He sat on his knees in front of me and placed a quick kiss on my lips with a smile on his. "I love you."
"I love you."
"Good," he declared and rested back on his knees. "Otherwise what I'm about to do would be pointless."
"What are you about to do?" I asked, trying to suppress the anxiety that was now building up inside of me.
Isaac pulled out a small red velvet box from his pants pocket and looked up at me with wide, beautiful gray eyes.
"No."
"I didn't even ask you yet," he shook his head. "Unique Adams, my best friend, my love. We've been through so much together and never once did I feel like leaving you, even in our darkest times. That's when I knew I needed to spend the rest of my life with you." He opened the box and I internally squealed, Rachel Berry's ring had nothing on mine. "So, will you do me the honor and marry me?"
"Yes!" I answered enthusiastically, not caring if I woke up all of the greater Lima area. He slipped the ring on my finger and I just marveled at its beauty. "I love you."
"I love you," he replied as he sat up and kissed me with a satisfied sigh. "I've been carrying that with me since Los Angeles."
"Why didn't you do it back home?" I asked.
"I needed to ask your father's permission first," he declared with a smirk.
"Isaac," I shook my head in disbelief. "You are amazing. Thank you."
"Thank you," he concluded.
The next morning I was still floating on cloud nine. I might have stared at my ring all night that I hardly got any sleep. I was engaged and engaged to the man of my dreams. I went downstairs and gushed over it with my parents before leaving Isaac behind as I headed back into town to meet the rest of the girls for brunch. Our flight back to California left the next morning but Tina and Sam's flight to their honeymoon destination was leaving that afternoon. I walked into the cafe and saw Marley's face right away, she was beaming like a damn fool.
"He did it!"
"You knew!" I accused her.
"Of course," she scoffed. "Who do you think helped pick out the ring?"
"I could kill you Marley Rose," I told her and gladly accepted the hug she gave me. "Thank you."
"I can't wait to plan the wedding," she gushed and ushered me into the dinning hall all the other girls were sitting in. "I was thinking early spring wedding, pastels for colors and maybe have JJ as the ring bearer."
"Marley," I paused her with a laugh. "I've been engaged for less than twelve hours, cool it."
"Sorry," she apologized sheepishly. "I'm just so excited."
"Excited about what?" Brittany asked.
"Unique got engaged last night!"
"That was my news to tell," I sighed at her over enthusiastic nature.
"Oh my god!" Tina exclaimed and reached for my hand. "I wanna see the rock."
I showed her my ring and bathed in the response from all the girls. "He did good."
"Real good," Kitty agreed. "Ryder needs to step up his game next time."
"Well, congrats Unique," Rachel said and reached for a menu. "Sit ladies. I'm famished."
As I sat next to Marley I just looked around the table and smiled. I was a part of a small group of girls who truly cared about each other. In high school and even before, I would've never thought that I would be included in a group of such diverse group of people. I was always looked at as an outsider, someone who never really fit in with the boys or the other girls. Arriving at McKinley sophomore year just felt right. I was immediately embraced by everyone around me. The only time I felt resistance from my fellow glee club members was when we were fighting for a solo. No one made fun of me or judged me, and when someone did, I had eleven people who had my back. I was never really close to the older girls, besides Mercedes, but I knew Santana, Rachel, and Quinn had my back, no questions asked. We all came from the same core foundation. Glee club and its members were a family with an unspoken bond that no time or distance could break.
A/N: Thank you all so much for the support. I'm currently still in the middle of writing this whole thing. I just finished Kurt last night and began on Mercedes this morning, I'm going alphabetically by last time. So, if anyone has any thing they might want to see with their favorite characters let me know. I don't bite. Again, thank you all so, so, so much.
