The Wedding Part Three
Back in the Crystal Ballroom, the reception was in full swing. The dance floor was full, the music was playing, most of it in keeping with the theme of the day, and most of it was being sung by friends. Nick and Jeff were in great demand - both of them had danced with their mothers, which meant two dances in the case of Jeff, whilst Nick had danced with Grace. Warbler after Warbler had taken to the stage to sing, all of them having learnt a classic from the themed decades. The current group of Warblers, along with Jasper and Brad, had blown them all away with their talent; then again, the young New Directions had done just as well, with duets from Mason and Jane, Madison and Roderick and Spencer and Alistair; the latter two dancing with each other at every opportunity, and engaging in competition with Edward and Colin, and Luke and Duncan, as to who made the cutest young gay couple.
Then something happened that brought the room to a halt. Trent had made his way to the stage, and after a quick word with the band, had pulled Rory up on stage next to him. He then began to sing Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered to his boyfriend. To everyone's surprise and delight, he turned to Rory, got down on one knee and held out a ring box. He was using the song as a proposal, with the slightly altered line "I'll cling to him, each day to him and long for the day when I'll marry him" being its culmination. Rory's answer came in the shape of a vigorous nodding of the head. Trent slipped the ring onto his finger and pulled him into a hug as the song went instrumental - but the moment that the lyrics started again, Trent found himself pushed away from the microphone by Rory, who proceeded to sing the remainder of the song. As he came to the line "And worship the trousers that cling to him" (which earned him a "Wanky" from Santana) he suddenly knelt on one knee too, and pulled out a ring box of his own. It was definitely a case of great minds thinking alike. The end of the song was drowned out with applause, as the whole room went wild. Eventually it died down, and Trent thanked them all on behalf of himself and his fiancé - which caused another outburst of noise. The minute they stepped of the stage, the newly engaged couple found themselves being enveloped in a hug by Nick and Jeff - and Brittany and Wes were right behind them. It was just another moment of perfection on a marvellous day.
After some more dancing, and with one eye carefully trained on the clock, Nick called for order again, so that he could make a speech. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to take a moment to thank you all so much for being here tonight with us to celebrate the happiest day of both our lives. To be able to say that Jeff is now my husband - well, that is something I will never be tired of saying. That is something that Trent and Rory will have to get used to saying in their own time; and I am sure that their wedding will be just as fantastic as ours has been. We Warblers seem to make a habit of proposing at each others weddings - this is of course the second time that something like this has happened. So gentleman, if you would like to propose at the Trory nuptials, please see Wes so that he can schedule it in. Then again, don't feel obligated to hang off until then either, because trust me, being engaged feels wonderful - being a husband, that feels much, much better. So, back to the point. I would like to propose a toast of my own. One of thanks to our two beautiful groomsmaids, the two best best men in the world, and more importantly still, to the family that came to support us. Our natural fathers don't deserve to know what they are missing. But, particular thanks has to go to one man tonight; the man who oversaw so much of what has taken place today and has helped to keep the two of us sane. The man who created an atmosphere in which we all could feel comfortable and admit who we were back at Dalton. He is our best friend; an inspiration to all the Warblers out there; someone that is very special indeed. I would ask you all to raise your glasses to the one and only Head Warbler. To Wes Montgomery, without whom I doubt that even half of this would have been possible. To Wes!"
As the room raised their glasses in a toast to Wes, voices raised happily, it was all finally too much for Blaine. He had done his utmost to hide his feelings about what he knew was coming the following day. He had not wanted to ruin the day for Nick and Jeff - after all, they were two of his best friends. He had kept a smile on his face and had been on his best behaviour. He had danced with Kurt, and when Trent had proposed to Rory, he had almost forgotten. Almost. There were moments like that, when he could blank it out, like when he was up on stage, singing an impromptu duet with Kurt after having been threatened by Santana. But now, all the pretence had taken its toll, and he just couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't be in the same room as them any longer, knowing what was coming. He knew, as did Finn and Kurt, that this time tomorrow, one of them would be dead. The happiness that filled this room tonight would be replaced by an overwhelming sense of loss, and a grief that would weigh them all down. For some, the sense of emptiness would last a lifetime.
"I need to get out of here Kurt. I can't take it any longer - please, take me home. I just need to forget what I know is ahead and I can't do that here." Kurt nodded, and told Finn that he and Blaine were leaving. No goodbyes, just vanishing. To tell the guests that they had to go at the behest of Elizabeth. Finn nodded and shot a look of sympathy at Blaine, who looked on the verge of tears. He knew that he would be following them very shortly too.
No-one noticed that Kurt and Blaine had gone at first, apart from Wes. He saw the look on Blaine's face, and recognised it as the one that said he was miserable. He assumed quite rightly that it was something to so with the collections that he now had to make that had brought him to that state. He knew of course that he had a major one to do the following day thanks to Sam, and that had probably tempered his excitement at being there to share in the happy occasion. He knew that feeling all too well. Sometimes though you just had to live in the moment, forget your worries and have fun. That was what he was trying to do. Even a few weeks ago, the idea that he would be up and dancing with Thad at the wedding was one that he could scarcely contemplate. But that was exactly what he was doing, and the dance was no fast paced one either. He had the younger man in his arms, his head cradled on his shoulder as they swayed slowly around the room. He knew that for him, tonight was turning into a dream come true. It was getting close to that for him as well. He loved the feeling of the young man in his arms. It felt right. 'Why didn't I do this sooner? So much time wasted!' he thought, as Thad looked up at him with a smile that radiated pure pleasure. And he smiled right back. Around the room, a whole flock of Warblers and their friends smiled on seeing them too.
Midnight came and went. Some of the younger people had been escorted away. Despite pleading and begging, Moira had taken Luke, Duncan and Flora back to Cooper's, but not before Nick and Jeff had taken the two boys for a whirl around the floor. They were tired, but didn't want to go. They only consented when Nick lied and said that he and Jeff would be leaving soon themselves. After the two boys had gone, Santana approached the newlyweds with a look on her face.
"Oh, oh," said Jeff. "Something's up Nicky…"
"So," began Santana. "Duncan. Your cousin's boyfriend. Sweet; lovely; a little like Rory but far less Irish. His surname is O'Hara, according to your cousin Dylan. He then told me the whole story…"
Nick paled, and nodded. "Look, he's a good kid. He and Luke are happy. And Tommy tried to do the right thing in the end. He turned on Hunter and helped us. You can't choose your family. So please, let them be happy and keep it to yourself."
"I fully intend to, Nick. Don't worry. They are sweet together. It's a lot like watching you two years back but without the whole 'I'm straight' thing going on. All I am saying is, maybe it would be better if everyone knew about it now, rather than it suddenly emerging in a few years time. Anyway, changing the subject - have you seen Porcelain or the Hobbit recently, because they would appear to have vanished?"
At that moment, Jeff realised that it was a long time since he had seen either Kurt or Blaine. He turned and scanned the room and saw Finn, attempting to hide in a corner. The latter knew exactly what he was about to be asked as he saw Jeff, with Nick right behind him, approach.
"Kurt's mom had an urgent collection for them to make - they had to go at once. They're sorry that they did not get a chance to say goodbye properly, but they said that they will come and see the two of you on Monday, if you can forgive them."
By the time he got the final words out, Santana had joined the two boys. She stood in silence as Nick replied "I guess that we can forgive them - after all they do have important work to do. Tell them that we understand, and that the newlyweds look forward to seeing them on Monday."
Finn nodded, but couldn't help but notice that Santana looked unconvinced. As Niff walked away, Finn muttered that he should really go too. That was when he heard her. "Finnessa. There is something going on here. I don't know what, but I am not happy. Tell Kurt and Blaine that I will find out what they're up to…" As she walked away, Finn swallowed. Once again, her Mexican Third Eye had struck. She would find out what was going on soon enough though. They all would. He slowly made his way over to where his mom and Burt sat beside Puck, Quinn and Rachel. It was time to say his farewells and make more excuses for Kurt and Blaine.
The latter two were by this time sat side by side in the living area of their loft. If they looked out the window, they could almost pick out the silhouette of the New Yorker on their own New York skyline. Blaine had burst into floods of tears the moment that they had got back. Kurt took him into his arms and held him close as his own tears ran down his cheeks unchecked. His heart broke as he felt the small frame of his husband shake with each and every sob. He didn't envy him for what he had to do tomorrow. His time would come after all - one day, he would find himself having to go and bring one of his closest friends home. He dreaded it. He could understand why Blaine was broken by it; he would be too.
"You can do this Blaine," he said in a near whisper. "I know it is going to be hard. It is going to break your heart; I know that mine is breaking already - for you, for them, for all our friends. It isn't fair. Our deaths weren't fair, and neither was Finn's. But there is nothing that any of us can do to change it. We just have to accept it. You have to make it good for them. They will be scared; confused; upset. A friendly face will help. I know that having Finn and my mom helped me…."
"Knowing that I was coming to you helped me too Kurt. It's just… They have their whole life ahead of them - a bright future. They will leave someone so special behind, someone who will never fully get over it. Why them?"
"Because it is. There is no rhyme or reason. It is their time, and that is it. Their work on earth is obviously done, whatever we or they think. And it is so sad for them; what they will leave behind is a void that will be difficult to ever fill. The ripples from this will be tsunami like. We will have to support them here - and everyone left behind at the same time. At least they will all be able to see them - that is scant consolation I know, but it is better than them just vanishing. Ok, we have talked enough. You need to be rested for tomorrow. Ready for the challenge. I can't do this for you, but I can come with you, if you would like me to?"
"Yes, please come, Kurt. I think that it would be easier with you there by my side. So yes, please. It would be better for them, too…"
"Then it's a plan Blaine. You and me, we will do this together. In and out, get them back here. Then we can stay with them whilst they get used to the idea of being dead…"
As the clock hit one in the morning, Wes decided it was time to take his leave. Most of the older guests had left, leaving only the Warblers and the New Directions, although the youngest members of both groups seemed ready for bed - indeed, he could see Colin and Edward curled up asleep on each other in one corner. He made his way out onto the dance floor where Nick and Jeff were slow dancing with each other to a very chilled jazz number. "Guys, it's time for me to go…."
"Oh, no, don't go Wes. It's still early," said Jeff.
"Err, actually it isn't early anymore Jeffie, and we know that Wes has his audition tomorrow," said Nick, his face sad. "So we need to let him go - and I think that we need to think about heading to bed ourselves…" Jeff's face suddenly perked up at that line, which made Wes smile and shake his head.
"Ok, my Niff, I just want you to know that I am so happy for you, Mr and Mr Sterling-Duval. I've watched you for four years and I guess that I always knew that this would happen one day. Don't ever change. Living with you - it was interesting, but I am so glad that I had the chance to. I will be in touch soon." With that, he pulled them both into a tight hug. "I am going to miss you two…"
"We'll miss you too, Wes," said Nick, as Jeff nodded in agreement.
"Hey guys!" Jeff suddenly yelled, "Wes is trying to sneak away quietly - but I think that we need a song…."
There were shouts of agreement from around the room, and Wes rolled his eyes. "Sorry guys, I'm not singing anymore. I have an audition in a few hours and I need to save my voice."
"I remember a time when he left and couldn't sing before," said Flint.
"Oh yeah, his Senior's leaving party," said Beats.
"So we had to improvise so as to preserve the tradition of the departing Seniors singing to the other Warblers as they leave," said Ethan, as Drew smiled.
Wes looked around the room as his Warblers all got up and walked towards him, and shook his head. "You guys wouldn't dare - and I forbid you to do it Nick!" he shouted as he saw him heading towards his iPod.
"He wouldn't dare, but I would," said David and before Wes could round on his best friend, the music started, and so he shrugged and accepted the inevitable.
So it was that Wes mouthed along to Gracie Fields singing Wish me Luck as you Wave me Goodbye. At first the New Directions and the youngest Warblers did not know where to look; when after the first verse and chorus Wes jumped up on a chair and took a salute from his boys as they marched past, they laughed - and then all joined in on the repeat. As the song drew to its close, Wes walked out of the door, waving as he did so. No-one was surprised when Thad ran out after him, least of all Wes.
After agreeing that Thad could walk with him to Penn station, if he took a taxi back to the hotel, Wes walked back in to say his proper goodbyes. There were hugs for everyone, much to the surprise of Sebastian - who also got a whispered "Never forget that you are one of the good guys - keep an eye on my boys for me and be happy." Santana was also startled, but quickly relaxed into it, even when he told her to hurry up and buy Brittany a ring. "You want her with you forever - I can tell, it's my Cantonese Third Eye. She will say yes…" Ethan and Drew were told to Skype more; Beats and Flint were told to keep taking Nick and Jeff out to the club; Trent and Rory were told that he was ecstatic for them, and that he was looking forward to their wedding; David was told to look after Thad when they were back in L.A. - and that he would see him again soon. Dave was told to keep an eye on Sebastian. Puck was the one who hugged Wes, who just laughed, and then whispered to him to keep an eye out for you know who. Then, as time was getting on, he gave one last hug to Nick and Jeff and headed out, his arm around Thad.
"Are those two a couple?" came a sleepy voice from the corner where the youngest of the New Directions sat.
"Not officially - yet," said Artie with a smile at Kitty standing next to him. "I think that it's only a matter of time though. That is no bad thing - those two work together. I would wager that by Christmas, we will have Thes." And all around the room, people nodded in agreement.