A/N: Chapter 21! Meaning only one more chapter left, aw :( Still, thank you to all those commenters and readers. Every single one of you is amazing :)

Tighten the knot. Loosen it a bit. Study the reflection. Decide it's not right. Undo the entire thing. Start over.

Kurt went through this cycle multiple times in the last five minutes. It was his fault, requesting to be completely alone before the ceremony began. He hadn't thought about the fact that he'd be only with his thoughts, that were running rampant as it was. Fixing his appearance had been a pleasant distraction; however, it didn't stop his shaky hands.

Married.

He was getting married today.

Again, he reminded himself, chewing his bottom lip as he tucked the ends of his black tie in the proper place. Except this time it was everything he had dreamed. There was no rush, no vows being hastily read at a courthouse. This engagement took time, the wedding was planned carefully. And the result was everything he could have hoped for.

Then why was he so nervous?

He tugged his jacket straight, squaring his shoulders and looking at himself in the dressing room's mirror. Months were spent to make this suit-designed by himself, of course. His manager Jasmine put in her own advice, such as the barely-there pattern hidden in the black fabric. She was amazed by his newest designs, constantly telling him he was the best worker they'd had, that he was so good, might even sweep him up.

A smile twitched at his lips, and Kurt finally relaxed his shoulders.

Maybe he wasn't nervous-nervous. It was more of an excited-nervous, the sensation he had before he performed The Indigo Lover on opening night. His heart wouldn't stop pounding in his rib cage, thrumming to the beat of anticipation, thrill, and above all, love.

Blaine.

He was going to marry Blaine.

Since he couldn't run a hand through his perfectly swooped hair, Kurt turned away from the mirror and stared at the rest of the small room. There wasn't much, just a vanity, a clothing rack, and a cute little sofa. It was quaint and quiet, only the faint bustle of the wedding party trying to rally everything together heard on the other side of the walls.

Right as Kurt was ready to begin pacing, a tiny knock came from the door. He snapped his head towards it, watching it slowly creak open and expecting Rachel to peek in with her wide smile, announcing it was time.

However, the head that poked through was rounder with peering blue eyes.

"Daddy?" Max asked.

Kurt's posture eased immediately, and a gentle smile naturally grew on his lips. "Hey, Maxie."

His son closed the door as Kurt approached him, squatting down to his level. Just like everyone else today, Max looked adorably handsome. His tuxedo was fitted and so far spotless. His shoes were shiny; his tie was a teal blue. Even his brown hair was combed and styled formally.

"Daddy," Max said again. "Blaine wants to know if you're okay but he said not to tell you that he was asking."

Kurt chuckled, shaking his head slightly. Of course his fiancé would be wondering. Surprisingly, Blaine had been more of a groomzilla than Kurt. Every detail Blaine worried about, from the reception music to the bridesmaid's hairstyles to the type of silverware the guests would use versus the head table. He even was stern on having them not see each other all day until the ceremony began.

Yet, they didn't traditionally separate the night before, which Kurt was more than grateful for. He didn't know if he could survive the evening alone with pre-wedding jitters.

"Future Mr. Anderson-Hummel," Blaine had murmured after their 'wedding night practice,' bringing Kurt's left hand to his lips and showering his knuckles with kisses. Kurt had never seen him so happy as he was during their engagement. As if just the idea of being husbands sent Blaine into an adoring state.

Husbands.

Blaine was going to be his husband. And so, so soon.

"Yes, I'm fine," Kurt told Max, absently brushing off invisible specks of dust on his shoulders. Every person expected his son to be the ring bearer, but Kurt had other plans. Max was chosen to be his Best Man. No other person in the world was worthy of that position than him. "And...how's Blaine doing?"

The six-year-old sighed loudly, propping his fists on his hips. "He won't stop walking around the dressing room. Sam keeps telling him to calm down and then Blaine will say he is calm but I think he's lying."

Kurt's heart swelled uncomfortably. "Do you...think he's nervous?" Wouldn't that be something? Blaine, of all people, getting cold feet on the big day.

Max tapped his chin. "No. I think he just really, really wants to get married. Like right now. Why are we waiting so long? Everyone's sitting down."

Kurt laughed, feeling weight lift off his chest. His fiancé shared his excited-nerves. Or more so, the 'really, really wants to get married' nerves. "I needed time to myself."

"Why?"

"I was...nervous. But a good nervous."

"Like how Blaine is nervous?"

"Mhmm."

"But you guys love each other," Max pointed out. "Why would you be nervous?"

He hesitated, knowing it would be too complicated to explain. Yes, Kurt loved Blaine. So much, that at times it almost scared him. Restless nights right before the wedding had him waking up, trembling over nightmares of the wedding falling to chaos or their marriage turning out to be like his and Liam's. So many preposterous thoughts, but it all lead up to the fact Kurt didn't want to mess this up. Besides Max, Blaine was the most important person in his life. He couldn't lose him.

"I'm over it now," Kurt replied, shrugging a shoulder. "Now I'm just super duper excited."

Max broke out in a grin. "Me too. Jack said that the Best Man is the most important job ever."

"And who's Jack?"

"He's my best friend. He plays with me and Catherine at mentoring because his mentor is Catherine's best friend and they like Legos too."

Kurt choked up at the words 'best friend.' Everything really was turning out for the better, and Max was slowly edging out of his shell. They would be okay.

The door opened again, causing them both to look up. And again, it wasn't Rachel. Kurt's Maid of Honor wouldn't be giving them such a face of annoyance.

"Are you done with your pre-gay wedding meditation?" Santana asked, glaring at Kurt. "Because I think your husband-to-be is going to pee himself if we don't get going."

Max giggled as Kurt stood, brushing his pants and shooting her a look. He and Blaine agreed there would be two Best Men and two Maids of Honor, one for each of them. Sam and Max, of course, and then Rachel and Tina. It was obvious Santana was bitter about her snub for the role, for she constantly nagged Kurt during the engagement with arguments such as, "Who sacrificed their apartment to babysit Hummel Junior as you went and banged the miniature version of Clark Kent? Yeah, that's right. Me."

Yet, she still stood in a sweetheart neckline bridesmaid dress, the color the same teal blue as Max's tie. Her dark hair was curled and tucked up in a braid. Her manicured fingernails tapped against the door frame impatiently.

"Yes, I'm ready," Kurt told her. Max quickly darted out the door, and Santana gestured for him to hurry up as well.

Kurt caught one last glance of himself in the mirror. He didn't look anxious anymore, there were no more worry lines etched in his face. Instead, he finally appeared at ease. Calm, collected, and like he told Santana-ready.

God, he was so ready to marry Blaine.

"Ladies, gentlemen!" Cooper declared as he stood from his seat, clinking his champagne glass with a spoon. "If I may have your attention!"

The Andersons spared no expense to their son's wedding. Both the ceremony and reception were held in one of their hotel's grand ballrooms. Chandeliers strung with tiny, twinkling lights shined above their heads. Countless circular tables scattered about the floor, each with pure white tablecloths, tall and extravagant centerpieces, and chairs draped in sashes. The head table's long rectangle faced the guests, bearing even more lavish centerpieces and more champagne. Large windows opened up to balconies, fluttering curtains and bringing in warm sunlight.

The guests-from Blaine's relatives to their close friends to Robert Anderson's dearest business partners to Burt and Carole-all quieted down, shifting in their seats to face the head table. Like Santana, Cooper was utterly shocked to hear he was turned down such a high position in his baby brother's wedding. Nevertheless, that didn't stop him from making a memorable speech.

Kurt turned away from telling Max not to play with all his silverware, looking to his right where Cooper stood, waiting for the room to become silent. He then felt a warm hand grasp his, a cool metal touching his skin.

Smiling, Kurt squeezed his husband's hand back, his heart skipping at that thought.

Blaine was officially his husband. And god, did he look beautiful. His tux was black and tailored to perfection, the white rose corsage pinned to his lapel. He even bore a black bowtie, ever so classy. But none of that could compare to how his brilliant hazel eyes sparkled the entire day, from the moment when they met at the end of the aisle and he first saw Kurt.

Blaine did give him a look that clearly said, Oh, boy. Kurt chuckled quietly and told him to shush, for he wanted to hear what Cooper had to say.

"Years ago," Cooper said to the crowd, "I had my own wedding. It was probably just as beautiful as this one, if not more." Kurt saw Blaine roll his eyes and he bit back a laugh. "And there is one thing I'll always remember my brother Blaine saying. He was standing next to me and our father, waiting to take pictures, and he announced to Dad that he would never get married."

The guests laughed, and Blaine glared at his brother as Kurt held his hand tighter, covering his giggles with his free hand.

"But," Cooper lifted a finger until everyone became quiet again, "as we all believed this to be true, Blaine was always a stubborn fellow. Once he met Kurt and grew up a bit, got his head screwed on right, I knew his ideology would be turned around." Cooper smiled warmly at Blaine, lifting his champagne glass a little higher. "So here's to you and Kurt, little brother. I couldn't be more proud of you."

The guests followed suit before downing their drinks, and Blaine returned the smile to his brother. Cooper winked, then shouted to the crowd, "So let's get this party started, right?"

Even though the entire ballroom erupted in action-classical music starting, the caterers carrying silver trays of food, and people chatting among themselves-Kurt actually felt like he was in a rare bubble of tranquility, with only his husband and their joined hands.

"You okay?" Blaine asked, leaning in a little.

Kurt sighed, both airy and happy. "I couldn't be better."

Max's shell-breaking began with Blaine's nieces, and now showed no difference. The girls loved having the younger boy in tow. They both promptly grabbed each one of his hands to lead him to the dance floor, where once the meal was over an upbeat tempo started playing. The three linked hands in a circle and spun in the center of the floor, giggling and squealing and bringing in aww's from watching adults. Sophie and Madeline wore matching flower girl dresses, their hair falling out from their braids. Max's jacket was unbuttoned, but Kurt didn't mind, not when he saw the wide, bright smile stretching his son's face.

During his and Blaine's first dance, Kurt's joy was so overwhelming he felt as if his heart might swell out of his rib cage. Blaine chose the song, and pleaded for Kurt to trust him to keep it a surprise.

Once Blaine's hand was in his and the other was settled around his waist, the first note sounded through the speakers, and Kurt's curious smile fell. He stared at Blaine, shocked to the point he couldn't move. Blaine simply hummed, and gently lead him in the first step.

"I can't believe you," Kurt whispered as they continued to sway, cheeks brushing against each other's. Everyone was watching, taking pictures or, in Rachel's case, placing a hand over her chest and tearing up. "You truly outdid yourself, Mr. Anderson."

"Anderson-Hummel," Blaine replied, voice filled with delight. His nose nudged against Kurt's jaw, and then his lips brushed his ear. "So come on and give me the chance...to prove I am the one who can...walk that mile…"

"Blaine." Kurt's smile was so wide his cheeks hurt.

"Until the end starts…"

"I love you."

"Mmm, I love you, too." Blaine pulled back, only enough so his face was less than an inch from Kurt's. "I keep thinking this is a dream," he admitted, so softly only Kurt could hear. "That someone's going to pinch me and I'm going to wake up back where I was before I met you. Alone and stupid and...alone."

Kurt lowered his gaze. Alone. Before Blaine he had Max, who he'd given his heart and entire world to. So he wasn't alone in that extent, but that didn't exactly fill the ache in his chest. The hollowness of intimate love, of promising forever with someone. Yet, after the divorce and his life transforming into a hectic mess, he figured he wasn't meant to have that again.

Just thinking about a life without Blaine was terrifying, an utter nightmare. Even during the months leading up to the wedding, where there were days brimming with stress and extensive planning and decisions Kurt didn't want to make right then. Where he had those horrible dreams of everything built crumbling to pieces. Times when Blaine would crowd in his space, smother him, and Kurt would snap. They fought and cried, and there was even one point where Kurt almost called everything off, the fear getting the best of him.

Their wedding was in May. Springtime, when flowers were just starting to bloom and blue skies were a promise every day. Santana was more than pleased, for it was plenty of time after her and Brittany's Valentine's Day wedding. Blaine was overjoyed, thinking spring meant rebirth, the beginning of their married lives together.

Kurt only thought how it was exactly one year since they ran into each other at Spotlight Diner. One year since their worlds collided and their lives forever changed. It was breathtaking, knowing about all that had changed since then.

And through all the pain, the tears, the doubt, the fear, Kurt knew without question he wouldn't trade any of it for the world. To know all those hardships lead to where he was right now, swaying in Blaine's arms, surrounded by friends and family, feeling nothing but happiness and love.

"I'm not going anywhere," Kurt told him, squeezing their linked hands. "We're in this forever, just like we promised."

Blaine's lips broke out in a grin, and his sparkling eyes returned. "Forever, huh?"

"Actually, according to your proposal, eternity."

He laughed, chest rumbling against Kurt's. Kurt joined in, because it was hard to forget that was his husband's laugh, and he would be hearing it for the rest of his life.

"Hey!" came a voice near their legs. The two snapped out of their little world and looked down, seeing a certain brown-haired boy tug at the ends of their jackets.

Kurt caught a glance of Brittany snickering and Santana slapping her forehead as Rachel and Tina half-rose out of their seats, unsure whether to run and grab Max or to not cause more of a scene. People were chuckling, and Max continued to stare up at them.

"Daddy, guess what?" Max said.

Kurt stifled his own laugh, surprisingly not upset by this turn of events. His husband, however, let his hand fall from Kurt's waist in order to bend down, hoisting Max up to join them at eye-level.

"Do tell, kiddo," Blaine said, grasping his and Kurt's joined hands, apparently having no means of stopping their dance.

Max adjusted comfortably in Blaine's arm, close enough to his father he could put a hand on his shoulder. "Sophie said we're gonna be cousins. Is that true?"

Kurt caught Blaine's gaze, and they both smiled together. Technically, once they're back from their honeymoon and signed the proper paperwork, that would be legally true.

But, to keep it simple, Kurt nodded. "Yep. We're all one big family now."

Max gasped, face lit in delight, and Blaine made that musical laugh again. "Cool! 'Cause then I said Blaine was my new daddy and that-" He twisted around, pointing off to the table near the edge of dance floor, "Robert was gonna be my new grandpa. And then Madeline said that means I can play video games with them more."

Robert Anderson, the man who was clearly astonished by the news of his son proposing marriage to his boyfriend. Who requested for them to have the ceremony at the family's hotel, for 'business purposes' he explained, but then enthused with Pam over where certain decorations would look best. Who was actually awkward around Max at first, such a contrasting characteristic to his usual haughty aura. And then Max, who hesitantly approached Robert one evening during a family get-together, politely asking him to fix the strap of his Captain America shield.

Robert, who Kurt saw dabbing his eyes with a tissue during the 'I do's.' There was so much more to him than the man Kurt first encountered at that gala so long ago. He saw hints of Blaine in him, underneath that entire intimidating exterior.

Now, it was Blaine whose own eyes misted at Max's words. Kurt sighed, unable to hide the smile that he'd been wearing ever since he started walking down the aisle. He tugged Blaine closer, pulling Max in as well, enclosing the three of them in their own little world as they continued swaying slowly, Adele's voice fading in the background.

Kurt didn't mind, for all he cared about was his two boys, who were all smiles and bliss and filling his heart with a warmth too intricate and strong to put a name on, but did make him know one thing for sure.

That ache in his chest was finally whole.

Blaine cried during their wedding night.

It shocked Kurt, the immediate thought being, Oh god, did I hurt him? What's wrong? He cupped his husband's face, brushing the stray tears with his thumb pads, unsure what to say.

Their suite was luxurious, with a gorgeous view of the dark glittering bay. They had been so exhausted after the wedding, that they leisurely stripped their clothing and fell backwards onto the gigantic bed, unable to fight back giggles for at least five minutes.

Then, right as Kurt was about to suggest they should shower, for the smell of champagne and sweat clung to his skin, Blaine's mouth connected to his, and nothing else mattered.

Except, how after newly formed sweat shined their skin and come dried on their bellies as Blaine's cock softened against his, Blaine looked stunned himself as his arms shook and his chest stuttered, tears falling down his cheeks.

"I-I'm sorry," he breathed out, squeezing his eyes shut and shaking his head a little. "I...I don't-" He stopped, only because his chest heaved and he let out another broken gasp.

"It's okay, it's okay," Kurt whispered, soothing his thumbs across his cheeks. Their first time having sex as husbands was all slow and lazy, rubbing against each other, trading soft kisses and breathy giggles and plenty of 'I love you's.' After a full day of being surrounded by people, it was finally just them, together and married and desperately in love.

"It's just...it all crashed upon me," his husband explained, dropping to his elbows, so close to Kurt that he could see where tears made his eyelashes point like a star. "That...you're mine." He smiled bashfully, his sparkling eyes rimmed red and wet, but no less bright. "And I'm yours."

Kurt couldn't help but grin in return, his fingertips drifting to the nape of Blaine's neck, where his carefully styled hair broke loose. "We're married."

"It's real," Blaine breathed, eyes wide and in awe. "Can you believe it?"

Could he believe that someone as amazing and kind as Blaine was his husband? Could he believe that by all sorts of fate and destiny, he and Blaine came together and fell in love? That they recited vows to one another and slipped rings on the other's finger, kissing sweetly and being declared married? That in the morning, Kurt's and soon Blaine's son would be off with his grandparents for a vacation in Ohio while the newlyweds headed to Paris for a romantic honeymoon?

Kurt was never one to believe in fairy tales.

It was hard to comprehend he was living in one, and that his prince charming was hovering above him, naked and staring at Kurt like he was the moon and stars.

Ask Kurt one year ago the same question, if he'd believe he would find someone to love him and his son with all their heart and soul, to care for them with all their might. That he'd perform on Broadway and design clothing of his own creation in the meantime. That he'd be truly happy. The Kurt then would have scoffed, replying with, "In my dreams."

Kurt smiled softly at his husband, pulling him down for an even softer kiss. "Yes, I believe it," he said. "I believe it, because for once in my life, reality is better than my dreams."