Sorry about the delay again guys - I wrote at least half of this chapter today so that's how busy I've been! Going on holiday for a week now so enjoy while I'm gone! :D
Liz xxx
Chapter 9
For a second the room was silent. I had hung my head, staring down at the floor so I could see that the tips of my shiny black shoes were beginning to wear. My trousers were getting a little short and would probably have to be lengthened the next time I went to the tailor. I couldn't tell what Kurt's expression was after he finished talking and didn't want to see.
"It was a great proposal." Suddenly I realised he was speaking to me. Clenching my eyes shut for a brief second before I looked up I focused on him, trying to take in his expression. He looked…wistful.
"Yeah?" I replied, expecting him to be being sarcastic and come back with some retort to knock me off my feet. He didn't.
"Actually it was probably the best moment of my life. Apart from when we actually did get married."
"I suppose you wanna steal that story too?" I was trying not to let it show, how much these particular stories were getting to me. I'd put a lot of effort into that proposal. It hadn't looked like it, but I'd spent days and nights planning it out, practising my speech to perfection. The ring had cost virtually all my savings.
"No, you have this one." I couldn't take the look he gave me – suddenly filled with something – was it compassion?
"I want to go." Finally sitting properly upright I looked over at Brian. He immediately countered.
"Blaine, we can't leave now. We're too far into proceedings."
"There are no proceedings. I want to go." I moved my hand over to shut his laptop but my solicitor stopped me.
"Just tell this story and then it will get better." He was whispering now, trying to get my co-operation in a more private way. The words were wrong though – it wouldn't get better. After this our fairytale life would begin to crumble, fall apart slowly and painfully.
"Mr Anderson?" Suddenly the man spoke. For a cruel second it looked as if Kurt turned too, but he quickly moved his head back to it's original position and seemed to curse himself. "If I may intervene – I suggest you continue so we can get the whole story of your relationship from both sides." Stories, stupid stories. Telling them wasn't much fun anymore.
"I know you loved that day just as much as I did." Kurt spoke again, this time almost pleading, reasoning. Fine. I would tell this story. I would tell it so when it got to later on he would realise how much it made me suffer.
"Fine, let's do this."
It was my wedding day. My wedding day.
I still couldn't believe it. Little Blaine Anderson. Had failed at everything in his life, lost his dream, his friends, everything. And now he was anew. New dream, new life, new…husband. Jeez, it sounded crazy to even say it. But that's what Kurt would be in less than 12 hours. My husband.
Kurt. Glancing over at the empty bed my heart saddened. To comply with true wedding tradition we hadn't been able to see or speak to each other the past few days. No formal discussion had really gone into who would be the metaphorical 'bride' in this situation, but Kurt seemed to have done a pretty good job of holding the mantle – booking himself into a fancy hotel along with Rachel and a couple of other friends and pampering himself to his hearts content. Part of me hoped he wasn't having a good time – not because I was a sadist but because quite frankly I'd been miserable. After so much time together, any time apart from Kurt, whether tradition or not, was torture.
I set about straightening my tie and sorting out my hair in the mirror, it was way too early but I honestly couldn't think of anything else to do. My expression seemed solemn, nervous, tired and excited all at the same time. Suddenly the doorbell rang however, and I was brought out of my reverie to run and answer it.
"Blaine!" My brother stood in the doorway. He was much taller than the last time I'd seen him – broader and more commanding. To be honest I barely recognised him.
"Cooper." We hugged, a strange but somehow still meaningful hug and when we pulled apart he gripped hold of my shoulders to stare at me.
"Wow. My little brother. Getting married."
"Hard to believe isn't it?" Anderson senior had already taken his walk down the aisle – I'd been barely 16. Now with 2 kids and a house in Washington he really was the American dream. To be honest I was surprised he'd left it to come down here at all.
"Not at all! I knew someone would snap you up eventually." My brother countered. "Or was it you that snapped up him? Great job on the proposal buddy!" The slap I received on the shoulder almost made me flinch.
"Thanks."
"What time is everyone getting here?" I glanced up at the clock – yet another thing that just screamed Kurt in this apartment of ours.
"Um, soon. You were early."
"Awesome. Well I suppose it's only fair that we…" Suddenly he reached round into the bag he'd placed on the bed behind us and pulled out a large bottle of champagne, "START THE PARTY!"
The atmosphere got a little less awkward once my East Street Bean friends arrived – Cindy worked out immediately the source for my melancholy.
"It's tough isn't it? Being away from him?" I sighed, nodding my head slowly and she gave me a hug, immersing me in her funny flowery smell.
"After tomorrow you'll never be apart." A smile perched across her face and I had to return it. That did sound nice. Kurt would be mine. Not that he hadn't been already, but now it would be official.
"Who's the hottie with the bubbly?" Suddenly Anita appeared, handing Cindy a glass and already looking a little tipsy herself.
"That's Cooper, my brother."
"Brother? I didn't even know you had a brother!" She looked shocked, her mouth forming into a perfect little o and I chuckled.
"Yeah. I haven't seen him in a while. He has a wife and two kids though so I wouldn't go there." As Anita pouted and we all laughed and I stared out of the window – willing the hours to go away so I would finally be face to face with the man I loved.
(*)
The service took place in the city hall – one of the many rooms meant for such occasions. Kurt hadn't wanted to go anywhere near a church and we wanted somewhere central to reflect the place we had met. Conveniently city hall was pretty near the East Street Bean – which was where we were having our reception. As we made our way to the connecting preparation rooms I had a peek into the main hall. Jeez. There were quite a few people here. Granted, most of them were Kurt's friends or family – he'd seemed to want to invite everybody he possibly knew. My select few consisted mainly of my old work friends and a few people from college. But they were all here to see us.
As I stood in front of the mirror trying to psyche myself up Cindy fussed with my hair and brushed down the back of my suit jacket. I'd pinned the tiny cluster of flowers Kurt had left on my pillow to my left pocket, right over where my heart was.
"Stay calm Blaine, everything will be fine." My eyes stayed focused on my reflection, trying to work out if I looked excited or terrified.
"Are Mom and Dad here yet?" Cooper sat up from his slouched position in his seat as I asked him the question – almost like he'd been asleep.
"Huh? Oh, Mom and Dad. Yeah they're on their way, Dad sent me a text." Albert Anderson was walking me down the aisle. To completely go against tradition and not establish any particular 'roles' in the wedding, Kurt and I would both be walked in by our fathers, one at one side of the room and one at the other. We would convene in the middle and then the wedding would begin. I loved this idea – it made us individual and also let us both take those fateful steps that would bring us together forever. It did mean however that I would have to finally face my estranged father.
"You know ever since you started this accountant course he's been trying to get in contact with you?" I grimaced. Of course he would. Dad had never supported my desire to go into theatre – he'd said it was stupid and would never give me the income I would need to sustain myself. Cooper had gone and gotten himself a good job for a respectful company that took the Anderson name out of its poor beginnings and I had just… Well I had failed. Since I'd taken the decision to go against their wishes Mom and Dad didn't really keep that much in contact. Of course now that I was actually 'doing something' with my life they wanted back in. At least they weren't bothered with me being gay.
"I know." The reply was short, almost a little joke to myself.
"Why didn't you call him back? He's trying to make amends you know." Yeah. Because somebody else paid the college tuition.
"I've been busy. Planning a wedding and all." Cindy moved round to my front, her lips pursed in concentration as she pushed back a strand of my hair that had fallen out of place and straightened my collar.
"Come on, no arguing today. This is a wedding!" She smiled and I smiled back, glad to have an ally.
(*)
After a few minutes of primping and fussing the sound of people approaching filled the room. I turned my head towards the open door and suddenly my parents entered. Mom was dressed very respectfully, in a dark blue satin dress that showed off her still very enviable figure, as well as her deep black hair. Dad had put on what looked like his best suit but still had the same old expression plastered across his face.
"Boys." Holding out his hands Cooper and I were beckoned over – I let one arm wrap lightly around me and stood there trying to look enthused as my face was pushed almost into my brothers.
"My two sons. Married." He seemed happy. Pulling away I embraced my mother, this one a little more meaningful, and she held on tightly as she whispered in my ear.
"I'm so proud of you Blaine." I felt my heart sag a little at the realisation that I never really got to hear those words as a child. Kurt knew his parents were proud of him – it was written across their faces. I had to work to earn my parents' love.
"So Blaine, any nerves?" Dad spoke again, his voice big and booming, obviously filled with pride at the fact his youngest son was finally doing something with his life. I shrugged my shoulders, prompting a little giggle and a shoulder rub from Mom.
"He's barely said a word all morning." Cindy suddenly chimed in, walking up to us and linking her arm with mine, smiling widely. If I wasn't marrying Kurt I sure as hell would marry her right now.
"Missing Kurt?" Mom was looking at me with adoring eyes and I blushed, mumbling a reply as I looked down at the floor.
"Well things are almost ready. Now everyone is here I'm sure the minister will want to get things rolling."
"Yes yes, everyone get out so the groom and his father can have some preparation time." Dad ushered everybody out of the room – I almost protested but realised this would have to happen at some point. A few moments alone with my father to get to the part where I got to see Kurt.
Kurt.
"Now son." Suddenly I felt hands on my shoulders – dark brown eyes staring into mine with an almost frightening gaze. "This is probably the most important moment of your life. I want you to be sure you want to go through with this." What? I almost laughed.
"Of course I do Dad. I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life." For a second Dad smiled. It was the first time I'd seen him do anything like that for a while.
"Then let's do this."
(*)
I stared forward at the black screen. It had been erected at the side of the room to block Kurt and I from the audience, to block us from each other. Right behind it was the fateful walk I would take towards my destiny, the walk that was now only minutes away. I could feel my palms beginning to sweat. Dad was standing next to me, looking almost as nervous as I felt. I suppose this was a big moment for him too – a lot of eyes in his direction. The fact he'd never really officially met Kurt other than on Skype was probably playing on his mind but I didn't care. I knew I wanted this. More than anything.
Suddenly the music began to play. My heart dropped as the crowd hushed – the screen rustling as somebody fiddled with it ready to pull it back. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my hands reaching out to grip something but finding only my sides. Dad linked his arm with mine and then in one swift movement the scene was revealed.
(*)
For a second I was startled. My eyes marvelled over the huge amount of people that were here – the eyes suddenly trained on me, the beautiful decoration of the pews and the walkway we were about to go down. Then my gaze switched quickly to the other side of the room and everything else was lost.
Kurt.
It was a good job Dad was holding onto me because my whole body leapt forward, suddenly drawn towards the figure just 50 or so metres away from me. Kurt did exactly the same thing, Burt almost dragging him backwards and I felt a small laugh escape from my lips. Dear God. Kurt looked so beautiful. It was almost like not seeing him for a few days had brought me right back to that first time we'd met at the coffee shop – the intense shot of emotion that had coursed through me in that second and made me realise that this person in front of me was someone very special. After the initial reflex jerk forward I realised I would actually have to begin walking towards him – my foot lifted itself up and plonked down a step or so away without me even registering it. The movement was like torture, wanting to get to the middle but having to lengthen it out, make it last so everyone else would enjoy it. Kurt and I had our eyes locked together and didn't deviate until we were almost close enough to touch each other.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Suddenly the minister spoke. My eyes glanced away at him but quickly returned – I saw Kurt looked pained, as if the loss of contact had somehow affected him. Wanting to reassure him I held out my free hand, letting it hover in the air near his, and mouthed hello with a smile. My fiancée mouthed it back.
"We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Mr Blaine Anderson and Mr Kurt Hummel." Now I felt the grip of my Dad loosen, his body slipping away with Burt to sit in the front row next to Mom and Carole. Finn, Rachel, Cindy and Cooper would be standing somewhere around, maybe behind me, maybe the other side. I wanted to acknowledge them but simply couldn't tear my eyes away for another second.
"The grooms have requested the traditional vows, so these will now be spoken." I bit my lip, knowing this was my time to speak. Kurt let out a soft chuckle and it immediately calmed me.
"Mr Anderson, if you would please take Mr Hummel's hand." I didn't have to be asked twice. The ripple of laughter that rang out over the room as Kurt's hand practically crushed itself into mine made me smile. I gripped tightly onto his fingers and rubbed my thumb over his skin, revelling in the contact.
"Now repeat after me. I, Blaine Andrew Anderson…"
"I, Blaine Andrew Anderson…"
"Do take thee, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel…"
"Do take thee, Kurt Elizabeth Hummel…" Kurt looked like he was about to cry, his teeth chewing on his lip as he gripped my hand like his life depended on it.
"To be my lawfully wedded husband…"
"To be my lawfully wedded husband…" Suddenly it was real – the words I was speaking finally meant something other than fantasy or practice – this was it.
"To have and to hold from this day forward…"
"To have and to hold from this day forward …"
"For better for worse…"
"For better for worse…"
"For richer for poorer…"
"For richer for poorer…"
"In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…"
"In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…"
"Until death do us part…"
"Until death do us part."
(*)
The vows went on. Kurt could barely get his out – the tearful speech sending awws spinning round the room and many female guests reaching for their tissues. When the rings were called for Finn jumped up and practically bounded across the small space. He'd really made an effort to dress up and it was nice to see him finally out of the spotlight for once. I slipped Kurt's onto his finger with an immense feeling of pride – like we were now permanently connected – bound to each other in a way everybody could see.
"If anybody has any objections to this marriage, they should speak now." Suddenly I cast my eyes across the room, fear rippling through me at the thought of anybody disrupting this perfect moment. My gaze rested on Dad but he seemed calm, also looking around with amusement.
"If you dare…" Unexpectedly Kurt spoke, his voice taking on a menacing tone and I laughed, a loud pealing sound that made everybody look back at us.
"They wouldn't baby," I whispered under my breath to him in reply, "they wouldn't."
"Well if there are no objections there is only one thing left to say." The minister brought our attention back to him, smiling at us and holding out his arms, preparing to utter the final words I had been waiting to hear my entire life. "I now present you husband and husband."
Before I could even take a breath Kurt threw himself on me. I felt his lips press against mine and immediately let him in, almost acting on reflex from all the other times we had kissed. I felt his arms wrap around me, pressing his entire body flush with mine and creating a cocoon that blocked us out from the rest of the world. My body was alive with desire, happiness, love. I could have kissed him forever but knew at some point we would have to break away, would have to return to the scene we had played out and now had to end.
We were married.
(*)
This was the busiest the East Street Bean had ever been. There were people everywhere, chatting, laughing, eating. It was funny being in here without an apron tied round my waist.
"So how does it feel? You're married!" Cindy grabbed hold of my free hand, jumping up and down and squealing like a little five year old girl. My other hand was currently still locked into Kurt's – we hadn't broken contact since we'd met at the altar.
"It feels…it feels, amazing." Kurt smiled, leaning forward to kiss me again and I lengthened the contact for as long as possible.
"I'll second that." He replied once we broke away, staring dreamily into my eyes and then biting his lip.
"Gosh you guys are so cute." I blushed, pretending to swat my friend away and then felt Kurt shuffle closer to my side to bring back the contact we'd had with our bodies this entire time. To be honest all I wanted was to leave this party now and just kiss him silly, but we had a duty to attend to, and lots of guests to satisfy.
"How does it feel?"
"Were you nervous?"
"Can I see the ring?"
"When are you leaving for your honeymoon?" Kurt and I had decided not to have a honeymoon – both of us feeling the money would be better spent on our near future plans and getting us set up as a married couple. The honeymoon would come when Kurt's business had set off and he had enough staff to take over for him whilst we were away. We answered each question politely and indepthly, still never leaving each other's side and still glancing the other's way every minute or so.
(*)
"So Blaine – I hear you have an apprenticeship with Gringlends?" Dad had commandeered my attention and the conversation yet again, and we were back to accounting. I glanced quickly over at Cindy who had brought herself and Anita over for support upon seeing him arrive and saw her raise he eyebrows in sympathy.
"Yeah." I began, trying not to make the sigh in my voice evident. "It's not finalised yet but I'll be shadowing someone over the term and then if they think I'm good enough it might get me a temp job in the summer."
"Well that's fantastic! A paid job?"
"Yeah." I felt Kurt squeeze my hand and looked across to see him staring kindly at me. He'd heard enough about my Dad to know that money and status were the only important things in his life. Especially when his son's new husband had lots of both.
"Well I'm very proud of you son. This boy here really turned your life around didn't he?" He smiled, giving Kurt a heavy pat on the shoulder. I almost wanted to push him arm away and forbid him from touching my husband but managed to contain myself and simply grit my teeth until he moved back away. Kurt seemed a little shocked but still kept the smile on his face.
"I don't think it was just my doing. Blaine worked very hard to get where he is."
(*)
Suddenly a shout from the other side of the room diverted our attention. For a second I couldn't work out who it was, but then the crowd parted and two figures I recognised emerged.
"I told you it's over now, why do you have to go and make such a scene every time I see you?"
"Because YOU BROKE MY HEART FINN! YOU BROKE IT AND THEN YOU JUST LEFT IT THERE! TO DIE!" Rachel looked a complete mess – her hair had begun to come out of it's immaculate ponytail and tear were streaming down her face. Finn tried to protest again, already surrounded by several girls ready to defend his case, but she turned and stormed away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she marched past us.
"Oh Lord." Kurt said, glancing back from his brother to his best friend. "I'd better go." He went to let go of my hand and I immediately clenched it shut, not wanting the contact to break and my lifeline to be taken away from me again. Kurt looked back and seemed upset that I was troubled – he took a step towards me and held my face with his free hand.
"I'm sorry. I'll be back in a second ok?" Kissing me softly he checked for my approval and I nodded my head, watching him walk away with sadness.
"Wow, what was that all about?" Cindy asked. Dad seemed to have disappeared off somewhere and I was glad.
"Ergh. Finn and Rachel have history."
"I can't believe Kurt's brother is Finn Hudson." Anita was still staring over at the scene of the commotion – Finn now being comforted by his legion of female fans and Anita looking like she wanted to join them. Jeez, what was it with her and people's brothers today?
"Yeah. You wouldn't think it." I could see Finn looked a bit rattled, I thought about going up to him but figured he'd be ok with everyone else. Besides, I needed a break from talking.
"So what are you and Kurt going to get up to tonight?" Cindy asked. For a second the question confused me but then I saw the glint in her eye and finally realised.
"Oh, wouldn't you like to know."
(*)
The door slammed shut and for a second I wondered if Kurt was going to stop, check the wall for any plaster that might have flaked off or insist that we install buffers around the door to avoid it ever happening again. Then I was slammed into the wall and realised that probably wasn't on his mind right now.
"Oh Blaine." Jamming his tongue into my mouth and his hips into mine I let out a groan, feeling my whole body tense up and turn to jelly at the same time. My arms flailed about against the wall but were then pinned up, Kurt ravaging me until I could barely breathe.
"Been so long, without you, need, release…" I understood perfectly. Apart from the actual wedding this was the moment I had been looking forward to for the whole day. Kurt and I – alone.
Suddenly I was pulled off the wall. Kurt swung me around, still keeping his crotch dangerously close to mine, and then began to walk us across the living room. When we passed the couch he shoved me back against it and kissed me some more, letting me push back this time. Jesus – were we even going to reach the bedroom?
"Kurt, ohlord." I could feel my words beginning to fail me but my husband took the signal and moved us on again. When we finally reached the bed he climbed on top of me and surveyed my already completely aroused state.
"Oh Mr Anderson…" He said, staring down with dark eyes and running his hand over my crotch – the pants now straining over my growing erection. "Mr Anderson Hummel…" He lowered his body over mine, kissing me and palming my erection roughly – I screamed out and dug my fingers into his back, already wanting his clothes off.
"Now that we're married we can do whatever we want to each other." Kurt carried on, having to pause every few words or so to catch his breath. His hands roamed across my body, taking everything in and looking at me with hungry eyes.
"Whatever we want. What do you want to do to me?" I sat up, taking him by surprise and grabbing hold of his face, kissing him deeply.
"I want…" I replied, having to catch my own breath and staring deep into his eyes. Kurt looked at me like he would do anything I asked him to. "I want to make love to you."
(*)
And that's what we did. For the rest of the night it was just me and Kurt – nobody else even came close to entering our perfect little bubble. We groaned and moaned and writhed but it was all us. When our orgasms died down Kurt snuggled up to me, wrapping his arm over my chest and resting his head in the crook of my neck.
"That was nice." He said, smiling as he did so and I smiled back. We both knew it had been more than nice.
"I missed you." I replied. Running my hands through his hair I traced my eyes along the contours of his body, taking every inch of him in.
"Me too. The hotel was horrible." Surprised I stopped, causing him to look up.
"Really? Why?"
"Because you weren't there to share it with me." As Kurt sighed, the realisation that he'd had just as much of a miserable time apart as I had suddenly crept up on me – it filled me right up to the brim and made my whole body tingle.
"I love you." I said, pulling his body up a little further so I could press our noses together. "Mr Hummel Anderson." Kurt smiled, kissing me softly and then running his fingers down my back.
"I love you too. Mr Anderson Hummel." The faint sound of New York traffic sounded outside - taxis beeping, buses stopping, the rumbling of the subway. Inside the only sound audible was that of two hearts, now joined as one, beating together.
