A/N: Special thanks to Kiki for certain ideas in this chapter 3

Chapter Twenty-Five

"I can't believe I'm really here. This place looks exactly like in the movies."

Lara's excitement hadn't reduced throughout their whole first day in New York City, it was still visible in her voice and on her face as she grabbed the menu at Sardi's.

They had planned the whole day based on Lara's wishes. It included the view from the deck of Empire State Building, a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and a walk in Central Park.

"I kept telling Diane that buying your affection this way won't work, looks like I was wrong," Kurt said jokingly and both Diane and Lara ended up chuckling, humoring him.

"This is a historical restaurant, the birthplace of the Tony Award, show some respect," Diane disciplined him playfully with a smile.

"I've noticed those caricatures are watching our every move," Kurt gestured mockingly towards the wall.

"You were such a gentleman in the theatre," Diane rolled her eyes hearing his tone.

"Yeah dad, you were glued to the stage. I had no idea you enjoy musicals so much."

"I bet all the pretty young ladies dancing had something to do with that," Diane threw in some fake jealousy which made Kurt slightly blush, indicating that her observations weren't too far from the truth.

"I was only watching from the ballistics' point of view," he protested vehemently, but Diane just couldn't let it go, because it rarely happened that she was able to accuse him of something like that.

"Are you sure? So how come you didn't run out screaming during We Both Reached For The Gun?"

"Were you observing me all the time or did you pay attention to the show too?" Kurt started to get back his cool.

"Women can multitask you know" Diane smiled before she hid behind her menu, but a few seconds later she peaked out to meet Kurt's eyes and share a smile with him. He reached out to grab her hand and squeezed it gently with affection, before he turned his attention back to his daughter, without letting go of Diane's hand.

"So what are you having?"

o-o-o

"How do I look?"

The smile on Lara's face gave away that the floor length light purple dress was very much to her liking and as Diane looked from the girl to her father she could see the admiration in his eyes as well.

"It's perfect," she replied on behalf of both of them.

"Yes, you look beautiful," Kurt said proudly, looking his daughter up and down.

He'd been surprisingly patient during their visit in Saks, even helped them pick from the numerous pieces of clothing. One look at his face told Diane each time if the said outfit was a winner or a loser. Maybe he hoped that the longer it took for his ladies to finish their shopping the less time would remain for them to drag him do the same. Apart from the tux for their wedding Diane had no intention of forcing him into clothes he wouldn't feel comfortable in, but she understood his aversion towards shopping nevertheless.

"But it costs a fortune," the joy quickly disappeared from Lara's face as she looked at her dad.

"Wow," Kurt gasped as he checked the price tag, "They sure know how to make money here."

"I know it's too much," Lara said understandingly, but Diane couldn't miss the light in her eyes as she turned back to the mirror, she obviously fell in love with the dress.

"We can afford it," Diane stepped next to Kurt who was still resting his eyes on his pretty daughter, "She's very happy with it."

"I don't want to spoil her."

"Her father is marrying someone other than her mother, I think it's the least you can do to make that day a little better for her."

"What are you talking about? She loves you."

"I know, but I am not her mother and will never be."

He put an arm on her back and pulled her to his side, placing a light kiss on her hair. Lara turned around and smiled at them.

"What were you two talking about behind my back? I could see you in the mirror you know."

"Diane and I decided that you can keep this dress," Kurt announced and Lara almost jumped into his arms to thank him and hugged Diane too, whispering a silent thank you into her ear which Diane appreciated more than anything.

"Now that we're all set, it's your turn," Diane told Kurt while they were waiting for Lara to change.

"Isn't it lunchtime yet?" he checked his watch, in an attempt to postpone the painful shopping.

"Nope," Diane chuckled, "But if you promise to behave we'll take you to a place for lunch that you'll love."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise," she smiled at him mysteriously.

"You really want to buy clothes for me, don't you?"

"I do, but it won't really be painful, don't worry."

"We need to buy a new suitcase for all these," he looked at the pile of outfits next to them.

"That's the spirit," Diane kissed his cheek thanking him for his effort, not minding that she might have to do something for him in return, because that was the way any relationship worked.

o-o-o

The lunch at Wolfgang's Steakhouse did the trick and Kurt was more than willing to accompany them for another round of shopping in the afternoon. They purchased a couple of age appropriate toys and books for Lara's cousins for Christmas and ended up buying their wedding bands too, to make this day even more memorable.

By the time they reached the airport the number of their suitcases doubled and they waved goodbye to the Big Apple in the most cheerful mood. During the flight Lara started reading one of the new books she'd bought for herself, while Diane was just resting her head on Kurt's shoulder, enjoying the end of an eventful weekend.

"This trip might have cost us a fortune, but it was worth it," she heard Kurt say and she lifted her palm to gently stroke his cheek.

"Just imagine that you won't have to do any clothes shopping for a few months."

"Months? I was hoping for years," Kurt chuckled, making her laugh as well.

"We need to come back in the spring to shop for the honeymoon. You promised to take me somewhere warm and most of my clothes are for the Chicago climate."

"You do know you can buy anything you want at home too, right?"

"I do, but shopping in New York is much more fun and classy."

"You know I'm willing to do anything to make you happy," he looked into her eyes smiling.

"I know and I love you for it and for a thousand other reasons."

He replied with a light kiss on her lips and she smiled at him before she closed her eyes.

"I think I'll take a short nap, these two days have been more than exhausting."

"Good idea, I'll wake you up before we land."

"Thank you."

She buried her face into his shirt, breathing in his agreeable scent and it didn't take her longer than a few minutes to fall asleep.