Lift Me Up Chapter 36: Ceremony, a glee fanfic

Hey guys! So I hope you like this chapter...the wedding! I lied, now there are three chapter left. Sorry, this one was getting long so I split it into two.

Also, this story just suddenly became very personal to me, much more than I thought it could when I started writing it. I just found out that my cousin/goddaughter is cutting. She's 14 and it's something that I definitely did not think I would be told when my aunt called me a little while ago. Now I know that whenever I read/write/think of this story, I will think of this situation and suddenly everything becomes different.

No worries-I am still going to write this, the sequel, and the deleted scenes. However, I will definitely have a new outlook while I do.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent for like 2.5 seconds there. Now...enjoy the chapter!

It was still dark out when Liv felt two bodies climb into bed with her. Groaning, she pulled the blanket over her face. "Willie…Danny…if you don't get out of here right now, I will kill you and Oliver will be down one groomsman and a best man."

"Well lucky for them, we aren't Willie or Danny."

Her eyes opened wide as Blaine pulled the blanket down. "Good morning, baby."

"Can I ask why you insist on waking me up at…" She leaned up to look at her clock. "…six a.m.?"

Kurt chuckled. "You must still be asleep. I'll give you a few hints." He smiled. "White, party, Oliver…"

They watched her confused look for nearly thirty seconds and laughed when her eyes went wider than they had been before as she shot up in bed. "Oh my God….I'm getting married today."

"Yes you are." Kurt sat up next to her. "How are you feeling?"

She was silent for a minute then she looked at them. "Honestly?" She shrugged. "There's only one thing in my life that has made me happier than I feel today."

"I'm not sure what to take from that, but I still want to know what that is." Blaine told her and also sat up.

"Oh wait, let me guess!" Kurt smiled and the other two members of his family chuckled as he clapped his hands. "Um…graduation…nationals…Les Mis….no?"

She shook her head. "My adoption."

None of them spoke for a moment and she watched as they both got tears in their eyes. "Baby…"

"No, seriously. I love Oliver and I always will. I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him. But we have talked about it. If you hadn't adopted me, I don't know what would have happened to me. I might even still be stuck in that stupid girl's home or been put into another terrible foster home. But because of you two I was able to have a wonderful family and great friends and I even got to use my talent for something amazing. Also…I never would have met Oliver and neither of us knows what would have happened to him if that hadn't happened." She paused. "You saved us both and you'll never know how much we both love you for it."

By now both men had tears falling down their cheeks. "Oh God," Kurt sighed. "We promised ourselves before we came up here that we weren't going to cry until later."

She chuckled and wiped her own tears out of her eyes. "It doesn't matter how far I go or what happens with my future or Oliver's….you will always be right there with me." She sighed. "Oh, I love you."

They hugged her tightly. "We love you too, baby girl." Blaine told her.

Kurt nodded in agreement. "Now we will leave you for little while, but you have to be awake and out of bed by nine. If you're not, we will unleash Kaity and Barbara on you."

They saw her eyes go wide. "Oh, God."

They chuckled and left her alone again. When they were gone she sighed and looked at her phone. She saw that Oliver had texted her only a few minutes before her fathers had woken her up.

I love you.

Smiling, she replied. I'm surprised you are awake.

I could say the same for you. ;)

Yeah, well my dads decided to get sentimental this morning. Actually, I thought they were Willie and Danny before I opened my eyes. What's your excuse?

Rachel had the same idea. She spent twenty minutes going on and on about how she couldn't believe she had a son getting married today. It was sweet.

I told you that they really thought of you as a son.

Yeah I know, this definitely helped. Hey guess what?

What?

We're getting married today.

We are getting married today.

She smiled as she hit send and stared at her ceiling. She couldn't keep the smile off of her face as she thought about everything that was going to happen during the day and it made her so happy to have the friends and family that she did.

After staring at the ceiling for a few minutes, she sighed. "Oh, screw it."

Jumping out of bed she rushed down the stairs and ambushed her parents in the kitchen.

…

A few hours later, Liv was alone and stared at herself in the floor length mirror that stood in Will and Emma's guest room. Since they wanted the wedding to be as personal as possible, and because it wasn't going to cost them anything, they asked her aunt and uncle if they could use their backyard for the ceremony and reception. Will and Emma, of course, were thrilled.

"You look amazing."

She turned and saw Willie, Danny, and Gabe standing in the doorway. Making sure she wasn't stepping on her dress, she smiled at them. "Don't you dare make me cry or you will have to deal with every glee girl and all of the aunts who did this to me."

Shaking his head, Willie walked forward and hugged her. "Liv…"

"You all look pretty great yourselves." She smiled at him and winked at the other two behind him.

"Willie's right, Livvie." Danny said as he pushed his cousin out of the way so he could hug her. "You look beautiful."

"I agree." Gabe said as he hugged her. "I can't believe you're actually getting married."

"You can't believe it?" She laughed and they couldn't get passed how happy she looked.

"Just remember, he may be my brother, but if you ever need me to, I will come down there and kick his ass." Willie told her.

"Well thanks, but I don't think that will be a problem." She sighed and linked hands with the two that her closest to her. "Look at us…all four of us right here. We've been through so much together and suddenly we're grown up and leaving and getting married. I couldn't ask for any better best friends."

"You make me cry, and I kill you." Danny warned, making her laugh.

"I'm serious, you guys. In a few weeks we'll all be leaving…separated. We won't see each other every day like we're so used to. I don't know what I'm going to do without you guys."

Gabe sighed and hugged her. "You'll be fine, Liv. If you need any of us, no matter what time it is, you can call us."

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant. We've been the four musketeers for our whole lives. That won't change, right?"

They all shook their heads. "Of course not. We're not just best friends…we're family." Danny reminded her. "We're stuck with each other."

"Yeah, and god help us for it."

They all turned and saw Puck standing in the doorway, arms crossed with a smirk on his face.

"Hey Uncle Puck." Liv smiled and looked at the boys.

"Time to go check on the groom." Gabe grinned at her.

She watched as they left and Puck walked closer to her. "So our little Livvie is all grown up."

She smiled and could already feel tears stinging her eyes. He sighed as he looked at her. "I am having one of those adult moments that everyone talks about, flashing back to the first time I ever saw you."

"Oh?" She smiled and they sat on the bed.

He nodded. "Your parents and Finn and Rachel had come home for Christmas and it was the first time you had ever come to Lima. You walked into that party looking scared to death, clutching Willie's hand. After he dragged you to go meet the rest of the kids, which took him twenty long minutes, we didn't see you until the end of the night when you had to be dragged out."

She laughed. "Yeah I bonded quickly with everyone."

"I also remember you seeing me play the guitar and eyeing me. A couple years later and you were playing by yourself." He flicked her nose with a smile.

"When you bought me that guitar for my 13th birthday, it was one of the best presents I've ever gotten." She told him and sighed. "Do you think I'm ready for this, Uncle Puck?"

"I think you're ready for way more than you think you are." He said honestly.

A few minutes later, they looked up when Lux walked into the room in her blue dress. "Hey, Dad. Mom's looking for you." Then she smiled at her cousin. "It's time."

…

Oliver was standing in the backyard waiting for the ceremony to begin when Quinn and Santana walked up to him.

"Oliver, you look great." Quinn smiled and hugged him.

"Thanks, Mrs. Puckerman."

"Oh my God." Santana shook her head. "We told you, we're about to become your aunts. Call us Aunt Quinn and Aunt Santana. That goes for everyone in this family."

He chuckled and sighed. "Sorry."

"We have a gift for you, Oliver." Quinn told him with a smirk.

He cocked his head. "I thought you and Puck gave us our gift?"

"Actually this one's from me and Santana." She smiled and they watched as Santana waved behind her.

"Oliver! Oliver!"

His eyes went wide and he dropped to his knees to hug the two people that ran into his arms. After a minute, he pulled back and looked at them. "What are you guys doing here?"

"They came and got us!" Annie said excitedly.

Bryan nodded enthusiastically. "They yelled at Mom and Dad."

Oliver looked up at the women standing in front of them. "You did?

Santana nodded. "I have a reputation for being a grade-A…" She looked at the kids. "well…let's just say I have a reputation."

"While I am not as bad as Santana, I was also known for my temper and manipulative ways. We went over there and had a nice long discussion with Bob and Kathy and after a lot of yelling in both English and Hispanic, they were scared enough to let them come with us."

He stood and looked at them, trying to stop the tears that were going to hit. "Thank you."

They nodded. "Of course, honey." Quinn hugged him again.

"Now come on, kids. You can help Barbara and Dario walked down the aisle." Santana ushered them away as Will walked up to him.

"Are you ready for this?" He asked him and Oliver nodded with a smile.

"More than ready…Uncle Will?" Will nodded and Oliver sighed. "Thanks for officiating. It means a lot to both of us."

"Well I may not be as good as you are all hoping, but I'll do my best." He joked and saw the signal from Rachel in the back. "Looks like it's time."

…

Liv took a deep breath as she stood in the back living room of the house, waiting for her turn to walk down the aisle that had been made in the backyard. She watched out the window as beautiful music played while Annie and Barbara walked out, then Bryan and Dario, followed by Jesse and Nana walking down the aisle, who were followed by Finn and Rachel. Then she watched as her friends gathered and began their first song of the night.

[Willie]
We're too young
this is never gonna work,
that's what they say,
you're gonna get hurt.
But I know something they don't.

[Lux]
I hear your heart, beating right in time.
Right from the start, knew I had to make you mine.
And now I'll never let you go.

[Willie/Lux]
Don't they know that love won't lie?

[Danny/Gabe]
Don't listen to the world, they say we're never gonna make it.
Don't listen to your friends, they would've never let us start.
And don't listen to the voices in your head, listen to your heart.

[Cassie/Kevin]
This promise doesn't have to be too loud.
Just whisper, I can find you in a crowd.
I think it's time we ran away.

[Nora/Justin]
Your father says I'm not good enough, and
your mother she said that this is just a phase.
I think that we should run away!

[Grace/Eric/Gen]
Don't listen to the world, they say we're never gonna make it.
Don't listen to your friends, they would've never let us start.
And don't listen to the voices in your head, listen to your heart.

[Willie/Gabe/Danny]
you gotta listen to your heart
go on and listen to your heart
come on and listen to your heart

They all assembled at the front next to Oliver and were joined by a non-singing Beth and Hunter (Kevin's boyfriend who was asked to walk to make it an even number). Next to Oliver stood Willie, Danny, Gabe, Kevin, Justin, Eric, Sonny, Doug, and Hunter. Next to where Livvie would stand was Lux, Beth, Cassie, Nora, Grace, Gen, Victoria, Mary, and Joanie. They watched as Liv walked out, standing between Kurt and Blaine.

Lux stole a look at Oliver and smiled when she saw his awed face and tears in his eyes.

[Victoria/Sonny/Mary/Doug]
it'll tell the truth
it'll set you free
it'll say that you were meant for me, and this is where we're supposed to be.

[Joanie]
Don't listen to the world, they say we're never gonna make it
but I know we'll make it!

[All]
Don't listen to the world, they say we're never gonna make it.
Don't listen to your friends, they would've never let us start.
and dont listen to the voices in your head, love will never ever let us fall apart!
you gotta listen to your heart
come on and listen to your heart
you gotta listen to your
come on and listen to your heart
listen to your heart

As the song finished, everyone clapped and Liv handed her bouquet to Lux before taking Oliver's hands in her own.

"Who gives this girl to be married?" Will asked his former students.

"We do." Kurt and Blaine said at the same time then sat down in the front row next to Finn and Rachel.

Will turned back to the couple and smiled. "When Oliver and Livvie asked me to marry them, I was shocked and thrilled. I have watched these two go through so much and overcome it all. Since this isn't a classic ceremony, they have opted to say words to each other in place of prayer." He finished talking and gestured to Oliver.

Oliver cleared his throat. "Before I met you, Liv, my life was a living hell. My mother didn't care about me, I hadn't seen my father in years, and I was headed down a very destructive path….and then I met you. Who knew that a slushy to the face could be a good thing?" Most of the crowd chuckled at this statement. "My life has had many up and down moments and I don't doubt that those will continue but I do know that there isn't anyone that I'd rather battle them with than you. Since the moment I walked passed you in Spanish on my first day at McKinley, I knew that my life was only going to get better. I love you more than you could ever know. You are the most beautiful, amazing, wonderful thing that has ever happened to me and you've given me something that Kathy and Bob never could…a family. I read somewhere that a good boyfriend can't fix all of your problems, but he can promise you that you won't have to face them alone. Well as your husband, I can promise you that that is true. You will never have to face anything alone as long as we have each other. I love you forever."

Liv had tears in her eyes as she started to speak. "Oliver…it's no secret that I've had many problems in the last few years. I've been through more in my life than most go through or should have to go through. I could say that rehab helped me get better but honestly…it was the minute I met you that I knew everything was going to be okay. For a while, I was under the belief that I would grow old alone with a bunch of cats because I figured that I wasn't worth loving." She looked up and smiled. "And then I met you. Despite the cutting and the eating disorders…you never ran away. You loved me even with my flaws. You can never know how that makes me feel. I love you forever."

Will smiled as they both finished talking. "Now, since I assume there's no one here who gives any objection, we will move on to the vows." He waited as they each took rings from Willie and Lux.

"Oliver, repeat after me. I, Oliver Dylan St. James."

"I, Oliver Dylan St. James."

"Choose you, Olivia, to be my wife."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live."

He carefully slid the ring on her finger.

"Liv, repeat after me. I, Olivia Catherine Anderson-Hummel."

"I, Olivia Catherine Anderson-Hummel."

"Choose you, Oliver, to be my husband."

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live."

She slid the ring on his finger and smiled up at him. I love you. She mouthed at him and he smiled.

I love you too. He repeated her action.

"Well, with that, by the power vested in me by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He smiled and paused. "Oliver…kiss your wife."

They both laughed and kissed as everyone clapped and cheered for them. When they pulled apart they looked out at the crowd and Liv smiled when she saw her fathers holding hands tightly, tears in their eyes.

"It is now my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver St. James!"

They walked back down the aisle followed by their bridal party to take pictures in the front yard while the chairs were moved in back and tables place for the ceremony.

"You're married!" Lux squealed when they got a moment and started jumping up and down.

"I know! Oh my God…I can't believe it!" Liv smiled and hugged her cousin.

"Our baby!" Kurt exclaimed when he was close enough to her and she laughed while she hugged her fathers. "You're married!"

She blushed. "I know, Dad. I'm so happy right now!"

"Well even though you're married, I promise you that we'll always be here for you no matter what you need." Blaine assured her as he held her tight.

With tears in her eyes, she smiled. "I know, Daddy."

Just as they were finishing up with pictures nearly a half an hour later, they started to go back to the yard for the reception when something caught her eye.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Disclaimer: I do not own that song. It is by The Maine and is called "Listen To Your Heart".